MY WEEKS IN COMICS - - - for the week ending OCTOBER 18, 2026
#393 = MIDNIGHT: SPIDER-MAN #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Scietronic (Marvel Comics, December 2026) Don’t gloss over this one. I needed to read it three times to get a better handle on where this is going. Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s (PKJ) story raises some questions that aren’t fully answered so far. Also, I imagine some newcomers who have never read Spider-Man before (they are out there) may be perplexed by this.
This is the bloodiest, goriest of the three MIDNIGHT debuts. I suspect PKJ will get into the body horror (as it relates to Peter Parker) elements of the story later. There are hints here, especially the full page art beside the contents page by Steve Beach (truly horrifying). Also, the final pages - - although it is not clear if what happens occurs in a dream or real time. Also, there is much fore-shadowing with images of a weird spider that pops up throughout the story.
Everyone is probably very familiar with the traditional Spider-Man mantra: “with great power comes great responsibility.”
In a flashback scene, Peter’s (now deceased) father adds a new one, that I expect we will see again in this title: “Power makes monsters, every time. . . The stronger something is, the more monstrous it becomes. And monsters just do what they do.” A weird and inappropriate thing to say to your six-year old son who has just lost his pet cat and feels responsible.
The main villain/antagonist here is the evil Oscorp, who experiment on human subjects (and new employees) trying to find a way to introduce Mutant Growth Hormone into bodies. There are three other companies mentioned in the online posts by the tagline of Sagan Ritual. You’lll need to read the text pages to get some important background info, so don’t neglect them.
In real time, Peter Parker is about to celebrate his 18th birthday (except the way that Scietronic draws him he looks no older than 13) and lives with (and driven around by) his Uncle Ben. Aunt May appears to be separated from Uncle Ben. There are plenty of familiar characters (to Spider-Man readers) in newer roles: Dr. Otto Octavius, Doctor Curt Connors, Felicia Hardy (Black Cat), Norman Osborn (natch), and Henry Pym.
This is promising, although the depiction of Parker as a middle-schooler just doesn’t seem to fit the level of intelligence/maturity that should be reflected in his face and images. I don’t take this as seriously as MIDNIGHT: FANTASTIC FOUR which I believe may be the title that sticks. FOUR STARS.
#394 = BATMAN #14 by Mattt Fraction and Matteo Scalera (DC Comics, December 2026) Batman, Bad Seeds: Week 7, Part 1 “Home Invasions”
Last issue, Batman discovered that extreme cold was an effective counter to the plant invasion. So, he seeks out the new secret base of Mr. Freeze (Under Gotham,The Kingdom Of Cold) since he vacated Arkham Towers and hopes to enlist his help. What he finds is the aftermath of a battle where Freeze is disabled and Nora Freeze is deciding whether to save or kill him.
Meanwhile, Verity Pennyworth has been back at Wayne Manor assisting Batman via a Boom Tube internet connection to help locate Freeze. Some corrupt GCPD officers decide the plant invasion is a good time for them (the “have-nots”) to invade the homes of some “haves” and steal some valuables. They chose Wayne Manor and ironically disguise themselves with Batman face masks. They did not reckon on the defensive abilities of Verity, and are foiled.
A fast-paced issue, with Batman convincing the Freezes to save Gotham by promising them . . . , Winter. THREE AND ONE -HALF STARS.
#395 - #399 = EXQUISITE CORPSES, VOLUME ONE graphic novel by James Tynion IV and Michael Walsh (Image Comics/Tiny Onion, September 2025, first printing)
THIRD READING, OCTOBER 2026
I haven't finished this series yet, but I re-read Volume One again because I just sold my copy and I don't want to forget what happened here. So, I read it for a third time, which only reinforced my appreciation for this, and made some notes for future reading.
At the end of Volume One there are 9 of the 12 killers left, with one of them being taken out by a resident.
Some scenes occur that foreshadow upcoming events in future volumes:
The Lone Gunman seems to have some sympathy for the hapless residents of Oak Valley, Maine when he advises a survivor to hide until the morning. That makes me root for him even more, although he's a killer/bad ass.
Gamer Kid runs into Craig and young Jason during Trick Or Treat night and ends up tagging along. That can't be good.
The sleazy family rep from New York puts a huge bounty on The Lone Gunman, making him an even bigger target for the other killers. There are side bets and schemes going on, and for some this is not about winning the event and gaining power, but winning some bets.
Pretty Boy and Mike, the gas station attendant, are bonding over conspiracy theories, and Mike becomes his driver.
Layla Blaze and Slater meet at a dance club and are attracted to each other, until they realize that each other are killers.
I don't regret reading this three times. I find more things to admire all over again. FIVE STARS.
“The X-Men no longer fight for acceptance. They hunger for blood. This is . . .
#400 = MIDNIGHT: X-MEN #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Matteo Della Fonte (Marvel Comics, December 2026)
Answer to a new recruit among human investigators: “So. Empyres are mutants who were turned into vampires. So . . . mutant vampires. M-pires . . . . . Empyres.”
There’s a mantra recited (without the specifics behind it) throughout the debut issue: “The Peace Must Hold.” Yet, this is all about a power struggle between vampires and empyres.
Looks like most of the X-Men have been turned into vampires, and compete with their antecedents for human blood to drink.
It appears that Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler has not turned. He is a Bishop in the Catholic Archdiocese of New York City.
Wagner gets a visit from an emissary of the Pope, a Cardinal Stryker (ho!) and a band of Purifiers who inform they are there to establish a base in his diocese from which to fight and kill empyres. Kurt is troubled by this as he still has friends within the X-Men, and has a secret meeting with Storm to warn her. She does not attempt to turn him as she owes him and has placed him under her protection.
Meanwhile, the human investigators have uncovered an underground base of vampires, in high tech coffins with gadgets that enhance their strength and ability to combat empyres. That doesn’t help them when they are visited by Gambit and several mutants and they fight over the human spoils. Both groups get spoiled by Cyclops, apparently “the last X-Man” who rescues a surviving human who could be a mutant.
Some really good art spoiled by some dark shading that gives a murky appearance and makes it hard to clearly visualize some of the characters. Like many X-books, this one seems to have an abundance of characters - - and that’s not something I want to sort out.
I appreciate the spin that Hickman is putting on this, and the premise is engaging. A good read, but my least favorite of the three Midnight titles. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
#401 = BATMAN: BAD SEEDS - GOTHAM CENTRAL #2 by Christopher Cantwell and Jacob Phillips (DC Comics, December 2026) Bad Seeds Week 8, Part 1 “Herbicide In Progress, Part Two
The plant invasion has found its way into the subway tunnels underneath Gotham and brought the trains to a halt. Trapped within the same car are Officers Gordon, Baker, Espinoza; Investigator Bullock, Dr. Zeller, Zsasz, Anarky and about 100 other passengers. Anarky and Zsasz make a break for it but are halted and apprehended, thanks to the last minute appearance of Batgirl (yeah, the Barbara Gordon one - I think).
A well paced issue with lots of action, including a ruthless Vandal Savage who wants to blow the whole thing up and get rid of a bunch of his adversaries in addition to the criminals. The issue ends on a cliff-hanger as one person runs away from helping and one person may be seriously injured. (No spoilers).
To be continued in GOTHAM GENERAL in two weeks. THREE AND ONE-HALF STARS.
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