The Biggest Comic Book Releases of October 2023

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October is always an exciting month for comic book fans, as publishers roll out another round of spooky horror comics. This year is no exception, with everything from Clementine: Book Two to Marvel Zombies: Black, White & Red due out in the coming weeks. But this month is also home to some of the biggest launches of 2023, including the long-awaited G.O.D.S. from Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti and a truly epic new Transformers series from superstar creator Daniel Warren Johnson.

Read on to see these and the rest of the biggest comic books hitting the stands in October 2023, and be sure to let us know what you’ll be reading in the comments below.

Clementine: Book Two

Creator: Tillie Walden

Publisher: Skybound Comet

Release Date: October 4

The Walking Dead comics may have made its surprise end a few years ago, but there are still stories being told in this zombie-infested universe. That includes a trilogy of graphic novels focused on the Telltale heroine Clementine. This sequel follows Clem and her friends as they find a new refuge in a remote island community. But as is always the case in this world, there’s more to this safe haven than meets the eye.

Clementine: Book One was a real winner, earning a nomination for both IGN’s Best Comic Book Series or Original Graphic Novel of 2022 award and a 2023 Eisner Award. That’s a testament to the power of writer/artist Tillie Walden and the enduring appeal of Clem herself. We have little doubt this sequel will live up to the original and take its place among the best graphic novels of the year.

G.O.D.S.

Creators: Jonathan Hickman & Valerio Schiti

Publisher: Marvel

Release Date: October 4

Writer Jonathan Hickman may have stepped back from the X-Men franchise, but that hardly means he hasn’t been busy crafting new Marvel storylines. Hickman himself has said that when he returned to Marvel in 2019, he brought along two detailed story bibles outlining his plans for the future of the Marvel Universe. One was House of X/Powers of X, and the other was G.O.D.S. The time has finally come for that second story to be told.

If House of X changed the way we look at mutants and their place in the world, G.O.D.S. promises to do the same for the many abstract entities that make up the Marvel cosmos. This series chronicles a massive conflict between The-Powers-That-Be and The-Natural-Order-of-Things, and it all centers around an original cast of characters. Hickman and artist Valerio Schiti are adding something brand new to the Marvel tapestry, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what’s in store.

Transformers

Creator: Daniel Warren Johnson

Publisher: Image/Skybound

Release Date: October 4

2023 has been a good year for Transformers and G.I. Joe fans. Not only did Rise of the Beasts tee up a crossover movie featuring both the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises, Robert Kirkman’s new series Void Rivals turned out to be a stealth launching pad for a new Transformers/G.I. Joe shared universe. That setup pays off in a brand new, monthly Transformers comic from writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson.

Frankly, Johnson’s name alone is reason to be psyched for this new series. As one of the best and most stylish artists in the industry today, Johnson promises to bring a whole new level of visual flourish to this iconic property. And if the rumors are to be believed, the first issue features a twist as big as the reveal in Void Rivals #1. If you’ve always wanted to dive into reading the Transformers comics, there may never be a better time than right now.

Superior Spider-Man Returns

Creators: Dan Slott & Various Artists

Publisher: Marvel

Release Date: October 11

Dan Slott is one of the most prolific Spider-Man writers ever. But for many, Slott’s long Spider-Man saga reached its pinnacle in 2013’s The Superior Spider-Man, a series that saw Doctor Octopus’ mind take over Peter Parker’s body and attempt to prove himself as the better hero. The Superior Spidey’s original story may have ended, but now Marvel is revisiting that controversial status quo on its tenth anniversary.

There are still plenty of questions surrounding the how and why of the Superior Spider-Man’s return, but we’re excited to see Otto back in action regardless. This one-shot special lays the groundwork for a new monthly series and welcomes back many of the artists who helped bring the original series to life.

Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong

Creators: Brian Buccellato & Christian Duce

Publisher: DC

Release Date: October 17

We’re suckers for a good crossover comic, and crossovers don’t get much bigger than this. Literally. Who else but the Justice League could hope to intervene in a titanic showdown between Godzilla and King Kong? Jim Lee’s cover art even suggests we’ll get to see Batman suit up in a gigantic armored mech and punch these massive beasts right in the face. This series has a strong hook, and we have faith in writer Brian Buccellato and artist Christian Duce to make the most of it.

Superman #850

Creators: Joshua Williamson & Various Artists

Publisher: DC

Release Date: October 17

Much like the recent Batman #900, DC is reaching a key milestone with the monthly Superman series. Superman #7 happens to be the 850th issue overall of this long, long-running title, so expect another oversized celebration with multiple artists pitching in.

Of course, that’s not to say writer Joshua Williamson won’t be continuing his ongoing storyline involving the new villain known as The Chained. In this issue, Superman continues to discover just how many skeletons the incarcerated Lex Luthor has in his closet. Consider the anniversary celebration a good excuse to hop aboard what is easily one of DC’s best ongoing comics right now.

Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War - Scorched Earth

Creators: Chip Zdarsky, Tini Howard, Mike Hawthorne & Adriano Di Benedetto

Publisher: DC

Release Date: October 31

One of the selling points of DC’s The Gotham War crossover is that it’s briskly paced. The all-out conflict between Batman and Catwoman started in September, and it’s wrapping up on the final day of October. This finale issue will reveal who ultimately triumphs in this battle between the former lovers, and whether there’s still going to be a Bat-family when the dust settles.

We’re expecting this crossover to have a major and lasting impact on both the monthly Batman and Catwoman comics going forward. Batman is already at a low ebb thanks to his recent trials, and losing some of his closest friends and allies is only going to push him closer to the edge. 2024 isn’t shaping up to be an easy year for either character.

Other Books to Watch

Abbott: 1979

We’ve been big fans of Saladin Ahmed and Sami Kivelä’s supernatural noir series Abbott since its original debut. Abbott 1979 kicks off the final act in the trilogy, as the beleaguered Elena Abbott confronts a new decade and a new threat in the struggling city of Detroit. (Oct. 4)

The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man has taken an even darker turn of late, with Peter Parker becoming infected with the disembodied sins of Norman Osborn and making Kraven the Hunter his prey. Issue #35 and #36 will explore the ramifications of that transformation, with #35 in particular said to lay the foundation for the next year’s worth of Amazing Spider-Man stories. (Oct. 11 & 25)

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees

Writer/artist Patric Horvath has crafted one of the most intriguing horror comics to come along in a while. This series is set in a seemingly idyllic little town full of anthropomorphic animals, where a talking bear carries out a series of brutal, ritualistic murders. A perfect Halloween read, in other words. (Oct. 18)

Captain Marvel

With Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers returning to the big screen soon, it should come as no surprise that Captain Marvel is getting a new monthly comic book. This new volume boasts an updated costume for Carol and a promising creative team in writer Alyssa Wong and artist Jan Bazaldua. (Oct. 25)

Giant Robot Hellboy

A new Hellboy comic written by Mike Mignola and drawn by Duncan Fegredo is always a welcome treat, but this new series has an extra trick up its sleeve. Giant Robot Hellboy is inspired by some of Mignola’s sketches from Mike Mignola: The Quarantine Sketchbook, meaning we’ll get to see our hero strap into a giant mech and punch some much bigger monsters for a change. (Oct. 25)

Marvel Zombies: Black, White & Blood

With Halloween right around the corner, it only makes sense to give the Marvel Zombies the Black, White & Blood treatment. This anthology series features a variety of new tales featuring these undead ex-heroes, including a new story by none other than Garth Ennis. (Oct. 25)

Universal Monsters: Dracula

Skybound continues to focus on quality over quantity when it comes to licensed comics. This series aims to reinvent the classic tale of Dracula, and with a creative team like James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds on board, this book stands a real chance of rising above the crowded sea of vampire comics. (Oct. 25)

Return of Superman 30th Anniversary Special

It’s been 30 years since DC revived Clark Kent following his fateful duel with Doomsday, and this one-shot special aims to mark the occasion. The real appeal here is that DC has reunited many of the original creators from the Return of Superman storyline, promising a hefty blast of nostalgia and a story that may just have ramifications for the present-day Superman line. (Oct. 31)

The Biggest Comics of Recent Months

If you're a little behind on your new comics, here's a refresher on the biggest releases of the past several months:

• The Biggest Comics of July 2023
• The Biggest Comics of August 2023
• The Biggest Comics of September 2023

Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

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