October Roundup

This October, the comic world brims with anticipation as the spooky season awakens. We’ve curated a lineup of spine-tingling Halloween reads perfect for the occasion.

At the same time, we’re celebrating the landmark 75th anniversary of Peanuts, honouring Charlie Brown and Snoopy’s timeless charm, along with this year’s Harvey Award winners and nominees.

The ShortBox Comics Fair shines a spotlight on creator-owned digital comics, offering fans a chance to support artists directly, while Oni Press debuts a bold new logo ahead of New York Comic Con 2025.

This month’s headlines are equally compelling: a landmark legal victory protecting Frank Frazetta’s iconic Death Dealer art, in-depth interview exploring Molly Colleen O’Connell’s creative evolution, and a documentary chronicling Milton Griepp’s lasting influence on the comic’s direct market.

Powerful storytelling takes center stage in Pablo León’s Silenced Voices, confronting Guatemala’s genocide, while The Oatmeal offers a sharp, humorous critique of AI art’s ethical dilemmas. We also mark Banned Books Week (5–11 October) with reflections on censorship and the enduring power of comics as a form of resistance.

From landmark anniversaries to bold new voices, this October’s stories capture the evolving landscape of comics with depth, creativity, and insight.

NEWS

• The 37th Harvey Awards were presented at New York Comic Con 2025, honoring creators and comics across eight categories and inducting six into the Hall of Fame.
• Comic shop sales are surging with reports show an 18 % increase in 2025 thanks to new younger readers joining the scene and fresh titles driving excitement.
• Forbes highlights The Essential Peanuts, a collection celebrating 75 years of Charlie Brown and Snoopy’s lasting impact on pop culture.
• Oni Press revealed a new logo by Eisner nominee Patrick Crotty ahead of New York Comic Con 2025.
• ShortBox Comics Fair is a digital comics event in October, featuring creator-owned work with all proceeds going to the artists.
• The Frazetta heirs sued Vanguard for unauthorized use of Death Dealer art. The court found infringement and forgery of a key 2015 email, awarding damages and sanctions
• An interview exploring Molly Colleen O’Connell’s creative evolution, discussing her comics Pebbles and Shriekers, her writing process, art philosophy, and influences.
• A documentary explores Milton Griepp’s influence on the comic direct‑market, tracing his role, challenges, and industry impact.
• Pablo León’s Silenced Voices confronts Guatemala’s genocide, highlighting Maya Ixil trauma and the need for remembrance through powerful storytelling.
• The Oatmeal comic A Cartoonist’s Review of AI Art humorously critiques AI-generated art, questioning originality, ethics, and how machines replicate artistic expression.
• Both Marvel editor in chief C.B. Cebulski and DC Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee have spoken against the use of AI in comics at New York Comic Con. Jim Lee’s keynote speech was particularly interesting and has some beautiful words. Really worth a read.
• Vertigo returns in 2026 with bold new graphic novels spanning spy thrillers, zombie sagas, and literary horror. Perfect for curious readers seeking fresh, edgy stories.
• Humanoids Corporation, the French publisher known for sci-fi and fantasy graphic novels, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the U.S.

COLLECTIONS

• Comic Bulletin’s Halloween collection features 10 terrifyingly good comics, packed with monsters, chills, and eerie tales perfect for spooky season reading.
• BookRiot highlights upcoming superhero comics in 2025, offering a fresh look at origins, power struggles, and bold new directions in the genre.
• The New York Public Library’s 2025 adult comics list showcases standout graphic novels, offering diverse stories and fresh perspectives for comic enthusiasts.
• Sideshow’s October horror roundup spotlights new comics blending supernatural themes with psychological suspense.
• Fangoria spotlights 36 chilling horror comics perfect for Halloween, featuring haunted hospitals, supernatural revenge, cosmic dread, and eerie indie tales sure to thrill every horror fan.
• Celebrate spooky season with 13 must-read horror comics, from classic monsters to modern nightmares. Featuring creators like Alan Moore, Mike Mignola, and James Tynion IV.
• If your teen loves K-Pop Demon Hunters, explore these books and graphic novels—packed with K-pop idols, urban fantasy, and action to fuel their obsession.

PODCASTS

• On Peanuts’ 75th anniversary, psychoanalyst Josh Cohen reveals how Snoopy, and friends offer timeless insights to help readers navigate life’s complexities.
• In the Cryptid Creator Corner podcast, Matt Kindt discusses Space Scouts, a sci-fi comic blending reality TV and space adventure, launching November 2025
• At SPX 2025, Tom Devlin and Lee Lai explore the craft, emotion, and impact of their celebrated graphic novels in this lively More to Come podcast episode.
• In episode 350 of the AIPT Comics Podcast, acclaimed writer Gail Simone discusses her new X‑Men work: exploring survival, community and hope through heart and humor in her creative process.
• The More to Come podcast episode recaps New York Comic Con 2025 highlights, including the DC Vertigo relaunch, Marvel Ultimates, and the 700th episode celebration.

NEW GRAPHIC NOVELS

Junior

• Asterix in Lusitania by Jean-Yves Ferri, René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo, and Didier Conrad (Papercutz) [9781545821800]
• Indoor Kid by Mat Heagerty, Lisa DuBois-Thompson (Oni Press) [9781637159309]
• Ten-Ton Titan Terrier by David Pepose, Ornella Greco (Papercutz) [9781545820469]
• The Witches of Pepperwood Bay by Lisa Manuzak Wiley (Papercutz) [9781545820568]
• Refugee by Alan Gratz, Syd Fini (Scholastic) [9781761649738]
• Adorable Empire By: Laura Terry (Scholastic) [9781761725548]
• Wilma Rudolph The Graphic Novel by Josh Bycel, Rico Renzi , Brittney Williams , Rich Korson [Penguin] (9780593382516)
• Jessi Ramsey, Pet-Sitter: A Graphic Novel by Ann Martin, Ellen Crenshaw [Scholastic] (9781761725456)
• Sunny Figures it Out by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm [Scholastic] (9781761725500)
• Jungle Pursuit by Vannotes, Ronaldo Barata [Scholastic] (9781546137917)
• The Essential Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz (Abrams ComicArts) [9781419784170]

YA

• Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyen (Random House) [9781984892669]
• The October Girl by Matthew Dow Smith (Maverick) [9781960578594]
• Abuzz by Amy Chase, Stelladia (Maverick) [9781545820827]
• Teen Titans Together by Kami Garcia, Gabriel Picolo (DC Comics) [9781799503064]
• Cat Mask Boy by Linus Liu (Mad Cave Studios) [9781545821732
• Dandadan, Vol. 15 by Yukinobu Tatsu (VIZ Media) [9781974757923]
• Kamudo, Vol. 1 by Akira Himekawa (VIZ Media) [9781974757800]
• Before You Go Extinct by Takashi Ushiroyato, Kanato Abiko (Random House) [9781647294748]
• My Life as an Internet Novel, Volume 1 by A. Hyeon, Yu Han-ryeo [Random House] (9780593901274)
• Bone Broth by Alex Taylor [Self Made Hero] (9781914224324)
• Astral Panic by Katie Hicks (Flying Eye Books) [9781838742089]
• Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit by Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada [Random House] (9780593521335)

Adult

• Brooklyn Dreams by JM DeMatteis, Glenn Barr (Dark Horse) [9781506745367]
• Bug Wars Vol 1 by Jason Aaron, Mahmud Asrar (Image Comics) [9781534329850]
• Nocturnos by Laura Perez (Fantagraphics) [9798875001260]
• Eight Billion Genies by Charles Soule, Ryan Browne (Image) [9781534331686]
• Out of Alcatraz by Christopher Cantwell, Tyler Crook (Oni Press) [9781637158685]
• Hyde Street by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis (Image Comics) [9781534335363]
• The Past Is a Grotesque Animal by Tommi Parrish (Fantagraphics) [9798875001321] [Australian Creator]
• Alandal by Jay Ignacio, Alex Niño (Ablaze) [9781684977994]
• Heaven, West Virginia by Ravi Teixeira (Oni Press) [9781637158746]
• Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide for Graphic Narrative by Eleri Harris, Sarah Shay Mirk (Abrams ComicArts) [9781419769276] [Australian creator]
• Bridge Planet Nine by Jared Throne (Top Shelf) [9781603095631]
• Black Arms to Hold You Up A History of Black Resistance by Ben Passmore (Pantheon) [9780593316122]
• Electric Cowboy by Ansel Kite (Silver Sprocket) [9798886200768]
• Lost & Found by Mia Wolff (Fantagraphics) [9798875001239]
• Messiahs, Meshugganahs, Misanthropes, and Mysteries by Bob Levin  (Fantagraphics) [9798875000201]
• My Life in 24 Frames per Second by Rintaro (Abrams ComicArts) [9781419784040]
• The Past is a Grotesque Animal by Tommi Parrish (Fantagraphics) [9798875001321]
• Patchwork A Graphic Biography of Jane Austen by Keira Lykourentzos (Verso Books) [9781804296226]
• Photographic Memory William Henry Jackson and the American West by Bill Griffith (Abrams ComicArts) [9781419784149]
• Quiet Crossings by Vivi Partridge, Janaina Spada (Conundrum Press / Emanata) [9781772621136]
• Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Anaïs Flogny (Abrams ComicArts) [9781419785696]
• The Space Between The Trees by Norm Konyu (Titan Books) [9781787746800]
• Witchcraft by Sole Otero (Fantagraphics) [9798875001277]
• The Witch’s Egg by Donya Todd (Avery Hill Press) [9781917355216]