This Saturday is Halloween Comicfest, a ghoulishly groovy day to score yourself some free horror and Halloween comics at local comic shops. Stores all around the Miami Valley will be participating, handing out goodies to eager boys and girls.
Here are 7 free Halloween Comicfest comic books we’re most excited about. Click the links on each title for more information, and to read an excerpt.
1.) AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE SEASON TWO (Archie Comics)
Those who don't follow Archie comics might be surprised to find that the gang aren't living in your Grandpa's Riverdale! The launch of Afterlife With Archie in 2013 set a new precedent of adult themes and gore that NPR praised as being "actually scary." This full-sized freebie comic book, set after the zombie cataclysm, follows the gang as they prepare to celebrate their first post-apocalyptic Thanksgiving. It will presumably kickoff a whole new series in the Afterlife With Archie universe.
2.) DARTH VADER: DOCTOR APHRA #1 (Marvel)
It's been almost two years now since Disney enraged nerds everywhere by announcing it would not be considering the Star Wars expanded universe—over 30 years worth of novels, comics, and video games—as canon. The plus side, however, was that Marvel was given exclusive rights to a whole new bunch of comic titles to create a new expanded universe. This title, a spin-off of the popular Darth Vader series, revolves around a favorite character of fans, Dr. Aphra.
3.) HARROW COUNTY #1 (Dark Horse)
This southern gothic goodie is sure to be one of the more terrifying titles available for Halloween Comicfest. Harlow County is the story of an evil witch who is put to death, and her connection to a young girl named Emmy. When this book was first released last year, Gizmodo called it "one of the horror comics of 2015." This special re-release edition features a new cover.
What could be scarier than a psychologist's office? In this quirky indie one-shot comic, Dr. Karla Quilte hopes to cure her patient Adam of his night terrors. However, when the two travel into the patient's dreamscape, Dr. Quilte finds out she's in for more than she bargained for. Quilte comes to us by way of writer John Lees, best known for the dark horror-mystery And Then Emily Was Gone.
5.) DISNEY GREAT PARADIES: MICKEY'S INFERNO (Diamond Publications)
Most of us are well aware that in order to be well-rounded and culturally literate, we should have a good understanding of classic literature. However, a lot of times, the classics are just darn boring. Wouldn't it be more palatable if there were a beloved cartoon character to give us a condensed version of these dusty old titles? Well, now there is! In this first Great Paradies issue, we have Mickey Mouse giving us a dumbed-down version of the classic Dante's Inferno.
6.) KITARO: STRANGE FUN FOR EVERYONE (Drawn & Quarterly)
Japanese artist and writer Shigeru Mizuki (1920-2015) was undoubtedly one of the most important literary figures of the last century. His classic title Kitaro, which first began in the 1960s, has been described by some as "Japan's Hellboy." In this English version of Mizuki's amazing manga, Kitaro is marooned on desert island, where he encounters legendary monsters—some from Japanese folklore, and some the product of Mizuki's own imagination.
7.) JOHN CARPENTER'S TALES FOR A HALLOWEEN NIGHT (Diamond Publications)
This mini-comic is the creation of John Carpenter, the genius behind the movies Halloween, The Thing, and They Live. Featuring a short story from his upcoming graphic novel, Tales For A Halloween Night Volume 2, this free teaser is sure to get you ready for the whole thing. Carpenter plans to release an installment of this comic anthology every year around Halloween.
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