ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Could Marvel finally be preparing to undo Spider-Man: One More Day? The events of Captain America #16 have raised that possibility after Doctor Doom takes control of Hell and declares Mephisto's contracts null and void. Peter Parker and Mary Jane's marriage has not been restored, but writer Chip Zdarsky has acknowledged that One More Day is relevant to his larger Marvel story.
Zdarsky also discusses Marvel's changing editorial direction under Steve Wacker. Speaking about the recent Marvel creative summit, he describes greater emphasis on listening to creators, improving communication, and allowing stronger stories to drive the publisher's future. With a new Avengers #1 from Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto arriving November 4, the consequences of Armageddon are beginning to shape a new direction for the Marvel Universe.
DC Comics leads the week's other major announcements with the expansion of Absolute Catwoman from 6 issues to 12. Che Grayson and Bengal return for issues #7–12 in 2027, and Scott Snyder has indicated that the developments in Absolute Batman #25 were part of the larger Absolute Gotham plans. Jace discusses the implications of the recent Batman cliffhanger and questions about how Selina Kyle's chronology will fit together.
DC is also sending The Demon #1, Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1, and Absolute Batman: Ark M #1 back to press. Meanwhile, DC Vertigo has released new covers and interior artwork for Hide Nor Hair, the 1950s Hollywood horror series from Adam Smith and Bob Quinn.
Ram V is launching Mirror Maker Studios, a creative venture that will bring together artists and collaborators while documenting the process of making comics and other narrative projects. Its initial project is Deicidium, developed with Evan Cagle. Jace also discusses his own conversations with Ram V and an upcoming creator interview about the book.
Skybound's latest announcements include ROM's continuing involvement in Void Rivals #36, new developments involving the Obelisk in Terminal #5, the sellout and second printing of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero / Tomb Raider #1, and a preview of Kelly Thompson and Mattia De Iulis's Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives #2.
Jeff Lemire unveils the cover for Mr. Oblivion, Volume 1: Incantations, the first of 3 graphic novels with Teddy Kristiansen. Oni Press and Archie Comics launch the oversized black-and-white Afterlife with Archie: Mausoleum Edition Kickstarter, while Archie #2 heads back to press. Additional Oni news includes a preview of Judge Dredd / Biker Mice from Mars.
Independent and creator-owned news includes BOOM! Studios' new slasher series The Carvers, Curt Pires's crowdfunding campaign for The Objectivist, the upcoming Dune Messiah: Book 1 graphic novel, and a silent 21st issue of The Future Is…, paying tribute to Larry Hama's classic G.I. Joe storytelling.
BAD IDEA has 2 unusual projects in the spotlight: The Hero Trade: The Butler, a black-and-white one-shot told in full-page splashes by Matt Kindt and David Lapham, and a Lancer #1 variant featuring a photograph of Jim Steranko himself.
Jace also covers Ivan Reis's Halloween interview in Ghost Machine's subscriber newsletter, including the psychological horror of Hyde Street and the idea that the decisions people make can lead them to become the monsters in the story.
What Hit — October 28: Jace selects 10 comics he expects to compete for the next Prana Top 10, including the milestone Absolute Batman #25 and Absolute Wonder Woman #25, the conclusion of Batman: Bad Seeds, and Captain America #16. Fantastic Four #18 receives an honorable mention.
Prana Top 10 — October 21: DC and Marvel divide the rankings evenly, with Absolute Green Arrow #6 at #1 and Avengers: Armageddon #5 at #2. Midnight Spider-Man #1 remains in the Top 10 for a third consecutive week. Jace's previous What Hit selections finish at 9/10, with Miles Morales: Spider-Man #3 at #11.
Final Order Cutoff — November 2: 24 selections across 7 publisher-grouped cover slides. Jace highlights books at risk of being overlooked or underordered, including Batman: Bad Seeds — Gotham General #2, Black Tower: The Raven Conspiracy #4, Green Lantern #41, Hammerfist #4, The Rocketfellers #15, and Prometheus Graft: The Slayings at Death's End #1, alongside significant new releases, reprints and finales.
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News Sources
DC Comics
Absolute Catwoman — DC's expansion announcementThe Demon, Jonah Hex and Ark M — additional printingsHide Nor Hair — official first look and interior artwork
Marvel / Chip Zdarsky
Marvel's creative summit under Steve Wacker — AIPTZdarsky on Miracleman, Spider-Man and Nick Fury — AIPTCaptain America #16, Mephisto and One More Day — Bleeding CoolCaptain America #16 and the possible Spider-Man implications — The BeatAvengers, Maximum X-Men and Armageddon — Bleeding Cool
Image / Skybound / Creator-owned
Ram V launches Mirror Maker Studios — The BeatROM in Void Rivals #36 — The BeatTerminal #5 preview — Skybound press releaseMr. Oblivion cover reveal — Jeff Lemire and Teddy KristiansenCurt Pires launches The Objectivist — AIPT
Oni / BOOM! / Other Publishers
Afterlife with Archie: Mausoleum Edition — publisher announcementArchie #2 second printing — Oni Press announcementJudge Dredd / Biker Mice from Mars — previewThe Carvers — BOOM! Studios announcementDune Messiah: Book 1 — Abrams ComicArtsThe Future Is… #21 silent issue — Bleeding CoolThe Hero Trade: The Butler — BAD IDEA solicitationsLancer #1's Paul Pope photographic cover — Bleeding Cool
CHAPTERS
00:00 Hook 00:36 Introduction 01:13 Absolute Catwoman Expands to 12 Issues 03:28 DC Comics Go Back to Press 05:02 DC Vertigo — Hide Nor Hair First Look 06:56 Chip Zdarsky on Marvel's Future 09:37 One More Day — Mephisto's Contracts Undone? 12:54 Ram V Launches Mirror Maker Studios 14:17 ROM Returns in Void Rivals #36 15:36 Terminal #5 — The Obelisk 16:55 G.I. Joe / Tomb Raider #1 Sells Out 18:20 The Bride of Frankenstein Lives #2 19:23 Jeff Lemire — Mr. Oblivion 21:05 Afterlife with Archie: Mausoleum Edition 23:04 Archie #2 Sells Out 23:58 Judge Dredd / Biker Mice from Mars 24:55 The Carvers — New BOOM! Horror Series 26:09 Curt Pires — The Objectivist 27:25 Dune Messiah: Book 1 28:44 The Future Is… #21 Goes Silent 29:56 The Hero Trade: The Butler 31:17 Jim Steranko on Lancer #1 32:48 Ivan Reis on Hyde Street 34:23 What Hit — October 28 Predictions 35:09 Absolute Batman #25 — Sales Predictions 39:50 Prana Top 10 — October 21 44:26 Prana Summary / 9 of 10 What Hit Results 45:33 Final Order Cutoff — November 2 / DC Comics 47:34 FOC — Marvel Comics 48:23 FOC — Marvel Comics, Part 2 49:19 FOC — Image / Skybound 50:07 FOC — Image / Ghost Machine 51:03 FOC — Oni Press / Mad Cave 51:57 FOC — BAD IDEA / Dark Horse / Ignition Press 53:21 Closing
