Comics to Collect Week October 8th 2025 |98
- David @ 98 Comics
- Oct 4
- 4 min read
Welcome back, collectors. This week we have heavy-hitters, horror mashups, and high-stakes storytelling.
Whether you like your comics gritty and grounded (Joker / Harley), nostalgic and heroic (Spider-Man: Torn), or full of brutal mythic violence (Spawn: The Dark Ages), this week has something that'll have you hitting the pre-order button fast.
DC unleashes its marquee event of the year with DC K.O. #1, Marvel brings back a fan-favorite legend to the Spidey-verse, and an indie horror comic is breaking records before it even drops. Read on to get the lowdown for this week!!!
JOKER / HARLEY: MALICIOUS INTENT #1 (Martin Simmonds Cover)
Harley Quinn is back, and she’s not laughing. Joker / Harley: Malicious Intent #1 kicks off a twisted sequel to the cult-hit Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity, reuniting the original creative team for another dark, psychological dive into Gotham’s deadliest shadows.
It’s been a year since Harley defeated the Joker, but something is wrong; grisly, artistic murders are once again haunting the city, and the M.O. is unmistakably Jokeresque. With the GCPD in the rearview and Arkham's Dr. Jonathan Crane (yes, that Jonathan Crane) claiming Joker’s still locked up, Harley turns to a new crew of vigilantes for answers... and vengeance.
This book brings the same mature, grounded tone fans loved in Criminal Sanity, but ups the ante with a new killer, conspiracy threads, and a returning cast of damaged anti-heroes if you're into true crime-style storytelling with a Gotham twist.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: TORN #1
Call it a comeback, legendary Spider-Man writer J. Michael Straczynski returns to the webs for Amazing Spider-Man: Torn #1. This isn’t just nostalgia bait. Instead of picking up where he left off, JMS is taking us back to Peter Parker’s college years at Empire State University, a classic era packed with emotional tension, young love, and old friends like Gwen Stacy, MJ, Harry Osborn, and Flash Thompson. But this isn’t just a walk down memory lane, a new villain is about to emerge, and early teasers hint that their impact may ripple into Spidey’s present continuity.
The Monster and the Wolf #1
History is made, as Pre-Orders hit 350,000 for an independent comic, and the delayed release means there is still time to order what will be the comic of the year. The Monster & The Wolf #1 is a must-have. Spearheaded by Mark Spears, the creator/painter known for his dark takes on classic horror, this title brings two legendary creatures face to face: Frankenstein’s Monster and the Werewolf. Set in a twisted European landscape, this tale blends gothic horror, painterly visuals, and mythic storytelling. What more do you need!!!
SPAWN: THE DARK AGES #1
The Spawn Universe goes full sword and sorcery in this gritty new entry, blending Celtic myth, historical warfare, and pure demonic mayhem. Spawn: The Dark Ages #1 launches a bold medieval miniseries set during a blood-soaked chapter of British history, where Saxons, Picts, and Hibernian raiders clash for power. At the center of it all is Aurelianus, a new king burdened by rebellion, myth, and an even darker prophecy, one that speaks of a warrior blessed not by God, but by the old gods, or as the church whispers. a Devil Spawn; Cool!!!!!
DC K.O. #1
Let’s get nuts, indeed. The gloves are off as Scott Snyder and Javier Fernandez launch DC K.O. #1, the publisher’s marquee event book for 2025, and it’s a full-blown cosmic slugfest.
Earth has been twisted into a brutal battlefield by the Heart of Apokolips, and the only way forward? A tournament-style battle royale where DC’s greatest heroes (and villains) throw hands for the right to face Darkseid in the ring. Sound wild? It is. This isn’t just multiverse mayhem; it’s gladiator-style storytelling where power comes at a price, and corruption follows every punch.
The hook is huge: every round brings the contestants closer to Apokolips, but also closer to madness, as the Heart warps their minds. Who’s strong enough to survive it? Who’s ruthless enough to win? Early leaks suggest we could see major DC characters take a dark turn, with some possible character deaths, transformations, or betrayals before the final bell rings. EPIC!!!!
Final Word
From Gothic horror (The Monster and the Wolf) to tournament-style superhero warfare (DC K.O.), this week proves one thing: publishers are pulling no punches this fall. Collectors should keep a sharp eye on first issues and event books.
But the standout this week? Joker / Harley: Malicious Intent #1 it has the creative pedigree, variant heat (Martin Simmonds!), and dark Gotham intrigue that screams sleeper key. And don’t sleep on Spawn: The Dark Ages.
