By Zack Quaintance — So, there’s a fifth Wednesday in October this year, and it just so happens to fall on Halloween, which means a couple of things. First of all, it’s a fifth Wednesday so it’s kind of weird and a little sparse, depending on the publisher. Second, it means some books have planned well and have something spooky to offer!

As such, we’re getting some potentially scary comics this week, including the second title from the ongoing Vertigo Rebirth—Hex Wives—and the conclusion to a five-part Wonder Woman/Justice League Dark crossover. My own personal real fear, however, is probably best reflected by Fearscape #2, a comic about a deluded and desperate writer thrown into a fantasy dimension of sorts where his storytelling abilities must be used to defend the world. Gulp! Now, THAT is scary.

Anyway, enough rambling! Let’s get to this weeks must-buy books...

Top Comics to Buy for October 31, 2018

Fearscape #2
Writer: Ryan O’Sullivan
Artist: Andrea Mutti
Colorist: Vladimir Popov
Letterer: Andworld Design
Publisher: Vault Comics
Price: $3.99
Heroic plagiarist Henry Henry faces his first trial in the Fearscape! Within The Weeping Castle, home to The Children of Prometheus, Henry Henry encounters wondrous and fanciful creatures-including The First Fear. With courage and calm, he endures the heart of darkness, refusing the easy temptation of light. No Legs can outrun-no Mind can outwit-no Heart can outlove our hero.
Why It’s Cool: Fearscape #1 earned a rare 10/10 review from us, and so we’re obviously really excited to dig into the second issue. If it grows from the foundation laid in the first chapter, this will be deeper dive into territory, a story about what it’s like to tell stories, and a razor sharp one at that.

Green Lantern / Huckleberry Hound Special #1
Writer: Mark Russell
Penciler: Rick Leonardi
Inkers: Dan Green & Ande Parks
Colorist: Steve Buccellato
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99
Set against the turbulent backdrop of the early 1970s, Green Lantern and Huckleberry Hound join forces to take a stand on the issues of that era. Returning from recent duty in Vietnam, veteran Marine John Stewart-now a member of the Green Lantern Corps-contemplates what, if anything, he should do about the issues tearing his country apart. Meanwhile, Huckleberry's comments against the Vietnam war have left him a celebrity outcast, and a visit back home to Mississippi puts him face to face with the Civil Rights Movement. What can one man-and one hound-do? Plus, part two of a Secret Squirrel backup story written by J.M. DeMatteis.
Why It’s Cool: This story builds on the excellent work that writer Mark Russell did in Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, which is one of our favorite series of 2018 so far. What’s changed is the time period, jumping forward to the ‘70s and the Vietnam War, from which Green Lantern John Stewart has just returned.

Ice Cream Man #8
Writer: W. Maxwell Prince
Artist: Martin Morazzo
Colorist: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer: Good Old Neon
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.99
All around town, folks are in crisis. But this ambulance ain't stoppin' for no one, baby. ICE CREAM MAN continues with another dreary confection.
Why It’s Cool: This psychological (almost existential) horror anthology book is also one of our favorite comics of 2018! Every issue has been memorable, ranging from downright chilling to full-one filled with dread, and Ice Cream Man #8 is no exception. Not to spoil anything, but this single issue could be this fantastic series’ thesis statement. Highly recommend it.

The Terrifics Annual #1
Writers: Gene Luen Yang, Mark Russell, & James Asmus
Pencilers: Joe Bennett, Doc Shaner, & Jose Luis
Inkers: Matt Santorelli, Scott Hanna, Richard Friend, & Jordi Tarragona
Colorists: Hi-Fi & Nathan Fairbairn
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99
It's three startling Terrifics tales, kicking off with a deadly nightmare at Stagg Manor! When a plot to steal Plastic Man's powers goes awry, the Terrifics' new home and everyone in it are at the mercy of stealthy plastic monsters. Looks like Sapphire picked the wrong day to host a Halloween dance for her Stagg Industries internship program! Next up, discover the secret origin of Java the caveman, and the secret he's keeping will shock you. Last but not least, we uncover Tom Strong's hidden adventure in the Dark Multiverse-hold on to your holy socks!
Why It’s Cool: Under the guidance of writer Jeff Lemire, The Terrifics is the stand-out book of DC’s faltering New Age of Heroes initiative. He’s just made it such a charming homage to the Fantastic Four. Now, some of our other favorite writers get to take a stab at doing the same with these characters, including Gene Luen Yang, Mark Russell, and James Asmus. It should be interesting to see what they all come up with!

Wild Storm #18
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Jon Davis-Hunt
Colorist: Steve Buccellato
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
You can never go home again, but John Lynch needs to go somewhere to begin the last act of his life. Jack Hawksmoor never really had a home, especially since he became something other than human. As the war between IO and Skywatch gets hot, Marc Slayton has somewhere for Lynch to go, and Jenny Sparks may have a new home for Jack Hawksmoor...and Angela Spica.
Why It’s Cool: This book is yet another one of our favorite comics of 2018 (this week is one of quality over quantity, to be sure), and the end of last issue has us incredibly excited for what we see as the obvious end game for the title. This, sadly, is the last issue of the book until next January, but hoo man are we here for it!

Others Receiving Votes

Black Panther #5
Bone Parish #4
Britannia: Lost Eagles of Rome #4
Doom Patrol #12
Extermination #4
Faith: Dreamside #2
Heroes in Crisis #2
Lost City Explorers #5
Man-Eaters #2
Marvel 2-in-1 #11
Shanghai Red #5
Tony Stark: Iron Man #5
Vagrant Queen #5
West Coast Avengers #3
Wytches Bad Egg Halloween Special One Shot

See our past top comics to buy here, and check our our reviews archive here.

Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as BatmansBookcase. He also writes comics and is working hard to make one a reality soon.

Top Comics to Buy for October 31, 2018

Top New #1 Comics

Others Receiving Votes