I felt like I’ve become smarter after seeing the list of top comics to buy this week on October 8th. Four of my top five recommendations incorporate real history that is almost new to me, from the inexplained phenomenon in Russia to the superstar black cyclist. And of course, my fifth recommendation features Batman. This is a comic, so what are you going to do?
But this is a very good Batman comic (the best in years) and overall, I think this week is a very good and wise week for a single issue. Check out the full text of my suggestion below. oh! And if you like my weekly recommendations… I have my own comic and I’m currently raising money on Kickstarter. It’s called Macabre Valley and you can learn more here… Cheers!
Top Comics to Buy on October 8th
Memories of ancestors #3
Screenplay: Jordan Clarke
Artist: Atagun Ilhan
Colorist: Pippa Bowland
Writer: Rob Steen
Publisher: AHOY Comics
Besieged by a robot dog, Melvin Walling must still use his new powers to seek help from end-of-the-century black rodeo hero Bill Pickett. Meanwhile, in the future, his wife June will finally face off against the prisoner of war.
Why it’s cool: Ancestral Recall has a great concept from the start, and now after issue 3, it shows perfect command of how to execute it, structuring the story around a thrilling tracking sequence, while simultaneously increasing the action with time jumps. I’ve written about this manga before so I won’t go into detail about it, but there’s no other book like this coming out today. It’s a high-concept sci-fi thriller that seamlessly incorporates parts of black history. This should definitely be read.
Price: $4.99
Batman: Dark Pattern #11
Screenplay: Dan Watters
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Triona Farrell
Writer: Frank Zvetkovich
Publisher: DC Comics
As the mystery surrounding the true identity of the terrifying new arsonist is wreaking havoc, Batman realizes he is at a crossroads with one of his friends. Is it possible they are the mastermind behind the flames that burned Gotham City?
Why it’s cool: If you’re reading this column regularly, you’ll know that this is my favorite superhero comic of the year. I think all of the issues are part of my number one recommendation, and this chapter (the penultimate chapter) is no exception. The entire book is simply a masterclass for building and paying back both ideas and expenses. Overall, the end result feels like an instant classic Batman story.
Price: $4.99
Death to Pachuco #1
Writer/Letterer: Henry Barajas
Artist: Rachel Merrill
Colorist: Lee Lockridge
Publisher: Image Comics – Top Cow
In the summer of 1943, a series of violent clashes between American Navy and young Mexican-Americans broke out in the summer of 1943, sparking the death of Carlos Urbano, causing Los Angeles to be a hotbed of tension and conflict. Private detective Ricardo “Ricky” Telles needs to find the Sleep Lagoon murderer before he is killed by a racist mob in the Zoot Suit Riot. The clock is passing by. It’s a bad time to become a Mexican.
Why it’s cool: When it first crowdfunded last year, I supported this comic. I liked the concept from the beginning. It takes up real historical events and explores them in great noir stories (and certainly tells you more about them to those who are not familiar with the events). The art here is also wonderful and interesting from the pages to the pages, and it fits perfectly with the book and its subject matter. I plan to write a full review in tomorrow’s Wednesday comic review column, but in simple terms, this is a great comic that depicts lesser known parts of US history.
Price: $3.99
High Strangeness #1 1967
Screenplay: Chris Condon, Daniel Noah
Artist/Letterer: Dave Chisholm
Publisher: Onipress
Chicago, 1967. Magazine writer Harry Keene is dispatched to rural Indiana to investigate the sudden disappearance of Becky Ploom, a local teenager who has attracted national attention for the astounding photo evidence of a recent UFO sighting. Frustrated by the unfolding story and the wife he wants to reclaim in Chicago, Harry sets out to reveal the fabrication, but instead finds himself in a very strange maze involving a missing girl, her boyfriend, a UFO, and a mysterious black-clad visitor circling around a mysterious, vaster than Harry had imagined.
“Why It’s Cool: High Strangerness” is the first of two comics of the week that take on strange real-world events and creates a great comic from it. The film depicts a magazine writer investigating a combination of disappearances and UFO sightings. The creative team features two of the most exciting creators in modern comics, and they work together very well in this book, and you’ll want to hope that you’ll be able to collaborate again soon after reading this book. If that’s not enough, the back issues of this issue are interesting and comprehensive, and add more additions to the already oversized Prestige comics.
Price: $7.99
Red Book #1
Screenplay: James Tinion IV
Artist: Michael Avon Orming
Writer: Aditya Bidical
Backed by: Malachi Ward
Publisher: Dark Horse Comic – Tiny Onion
Russia, 1961. Under mysterious circumstances, nine students tragically died, later known as the Diatollov Pass Incident. To this day, the real cause of their death remains unknown, but some theorize that the responsibility lies with visitors from beyond the stars…
Why it’s cool: The competition is fierce, but the series has emerged as my favorite comic written by James Tinion in the post-DC comics era. This week’s single issue is a continuation of the concept established in Blue Book. We use real-world history and documents to explore heterogeneous and inexplicable issues. Only now, the series has shifted its focus to Russia (in this era, Soviet Union). I find the Tynion writing and Oeming art written in this book so perfect and enthralling, and sometimes I really get goosebumps. So it was easy to be chosen as the top comic to buy this week on October 8th.
Price: $4.99
Other interesting comics this week
Absolute Batman #13 Batman – The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #9 Black Diamond #2 Everything Dead and Dying #2 Fall in Love on the Road to Hell #10 Free Planet #6 Godzilla: Here There Be Alien #5 Marvel Knights – The World to Come #3 The Sacrificers #16 Supergirl #6 Superman: Cryptonite Spectrum #3 Transformers #25
New #1 and one shot
The Amazing Spider-Man Tone #1 The Amazing X-Men #1 Binary #1 DC KO #1 The Guy in the Chair #1 Harley Quinn X Elvira #1 Imperial War – Imperial Guardians #1 (One Shot) Laura Kinney – Sabertooth #1 Little Nightmare – Descent to No Wear #1 Long Shot #1 Marian Heretic #1 Marvel: Black, White, Guts #1 Marvel Knights – Punisher #1 Mary Sue #1 Return to the Planet Hulk #1 (One Shot) Rick and Morty vs. The Universe: Last Mort Standing #1 (One Shot) Something Kills Children: Monster Hunter Enters the Bar #1 (One Shot) Strange Tales #1 Super Creepshow Special #1 (One Shot) Time #1 Apocalypse World #1 (One Shot)
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Read past editions of top comics you should buy!
Check out Beat’s latest comic reviews as well.
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