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17 Horror Comic Books for a Chilling October

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The horror genre always finds a way to creep out of some dark corners to find its public. Thanks to pulp magazines in the early 20th century, horror stories quickly established themselves via the “weird menace” subgenre, giving readers tales with sadistic villains and graphic scenes of violence.

By the late 1930s, and the influence of Universal horror films, vampires, mad scientists, and other creatures began appearing in superhero stories.  The horror genre peaked in the comic book sphere in the late 1940s and early 1950s before some worries and the establishment of the Comics Code Authority came to put a halt to numerous graphic tales while simply leading to the toning down of many others.

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The Kingpin: The Origin Story of Wilson Fisk, Daredevil’s Archenemy

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Wilson Fisk, known as the Kingpin, has established himself as one of Marvel’s most memorable comic book villains. His rise to this position, however, was not so quick. This dangerous criminal lord has progressively carved out a significant place among Marvel’s rogues’ gallery since his debut in 1967, owing in large part to Frank Miller’s famous portrayal in Daredevil and, more recently, Vincent D’Onofrio’s gripping portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Wilson Fisk commands attention with his intimidating size, bulging muscles, and fearsome combat skills. He emanates unquestionable authority and strength while wearing his suit jacket and distinctive cane. The presence of the Kingpin cannot be ignored, whether in comic books or on the screen. Today, we retrace the origins of this now iconic character.

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Titans Beast World Reading Order, a Titans crossover for the Dawn of DC era

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Following the events of Dark Crisis, the Justice League decided to disband and let the younger superhero take care of the world instead. So, Titans became the world’s premier superhero team, with their new Titans Tower based in Bludhaven. As the new number-one team, it was only a matter of time before they found themselves embroiled in an event!

The World is naturally in peril and it seems that the only superhero who can save it is… Beast Boy?! At least, this is what DC teases in their official synopsis: “Clawing its way out of the pages of Titans comes an unprecedented threat to the DC Universe. Superman, Wonder Woman, Starfire—all are powerless to stop the Necrostar from ending all life on Earth. The only hero who can save the world is…Beast Boy?! With Nightwing, Raven, Cyborg, and the Titans beside him, can Garfield Logan rise to battle an ancient evil? What will Amanda Waller do to take advantage of the situation as millions of people are changed into rampaging creatures? Can humanity survive all-powerful heroes and villains transformed into ferocious beasts? Friends will fall. Heroes will rise. And nothing will ever be the same again. Earth is about to become…Beast World.”

Starting in October, this event is brought to you by the creative team of writer Tom Taylor and artist Ivan Reis.

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The Best Dark Horse Comics Series: 15 must-read comics books

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Best Dark Horse Comic

Following the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, what is now called the Black-and-White Boom took form with the apparition in 1986 of a LOT of new publishers ready to make a fortune. Apple Comics, Fantagor Press, ACE Comics, Crystal Publications, Eternity Comics, Imperial Comics, Quality Comics, Malibu Comics, and more! Most of them produced forgettable books and rapidly closed shops. Not all of course, or else we wouldn’t be here to talk about Dark Horse Comics.

Mike Richardson used the profit generated by his comic book shop to launch the company with his friend Randy Stradley. Dark Horse Comics started with the anthology Dark Horse Presents and James Dean Smith’s parody comic Boris the Bear. The two titles became hits and helped the company to go much further than most of its competitors.

Using its successful launch, Dark Horse Comics adopted a strategy based on popular franchises. Mike Richardson began buying the rights to make Godzilla comics, then it was Aliens, Predator, Star Wars, and Tarzan. The company soon started producing toys and producing movies (via Dark Horse Entertainment).

Dark Horse Comics even tried to invade the world of superheroes with the imprint Comics’ Greatest World. But as the industry changed, DH had to refocus its ambitions on the creators–this led to the publication of Mike Mignola’s Hellboy.

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Batman: The Animated Series: A Look Back at The Best Adaptation That Ever Is (and ever will be?)

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We chose to publish this article today as this is the third Saturday in September, which means it is Batman Day! For more Batman-related articles and reading orders, we invite you to check out our Batman archives!

Batman Logo (pré New 52)

During the 1980s, as Disney dominated the afternoon on TV, some affiliate stations contacted FOX to ask if the young network wouldn’t be interested in entering that market. This led to the creation of the Fox Kids Network which debuted on September 1990. Margaret Loesh who was head of Marvel Productions at that time was recruited to launch the new venture. To achieve her goals, she started working with Warner Bros. Animation.

It started slow, but things became serious in the third season with shows that eventually impacted a generation of kids and the comic book industries: X-Men and, of course, Batman: The Animated Series!

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The Best of Emma Frost Comics, our Recommended Reading Order for the White Queen

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She started as a foe of the X-Men before becoming a superhero and one of the most important members and leaders of the team. She is one of the strongest telepaths out there and has the power to transform her body into an unbreakable diamond. Today, we’re talking about Emma Frost, a.k.a. The White Queen.

Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne in 1979, Emma Frost is one of the most striking X-Men who found her way to the hearts of readers thanks to great character developments throughout the years. She has evolved to become more heroic without betraying who she is at her core. Importantly, Emma is devoted to her students, and the children she helps, and tries to give them all they need to survive in this cruel world.

Labeled as a femme fatale, Emma Frost is undoubtedly a complex and strong character. She never shies away from her past, but also has to endure many traumatic experiences and losses since her first appearance, more than 40 years ago!

Emma Frost finds herself right now in the spotlight with this essential reading order, listing the best White Queen comics to read to understand her character, motivations, and transformations. Beware! A Best/Essential Comic for a character can be a mediocre or okay story with great characterization or important for the character’s evolution.

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How To Start Reading Comics, An Option For Every Readers

This is certainly one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to comic readers, there’s always someone who wants to know: Where to start with reading comics? What do you recommend a comics beginner to read? And other variants.

The answer for a long time was simple. You just buy one. They were just there and most of the stories were standalone. It was a no-brainer. But as the culture around comics evolved, it feels like non-comics readers think that to start reading this type of book is like starting to climb a mountain. It feels insurmountable, you need training, guidance, and you know it will be hard and somewhat dangerous. That is not the case.

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Nick Fury, the Origin Story of Marvel’s Legendary Spy

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If Samuel L. Jackson popularized and made recognizable the name Nick Fury outside comic book shops, the original character emerged sixty years ago as the leader of the elite unit Howling Commandos before becoming Marvel’s legendary spy master.

Now a key figure in the Marvel Universe, Nick Fury’s origin story has evolved and expanded over the years, from his years in the army as sergeant to the implacable Colonel and Director of the S.H.I.E.L.D.

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Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War Reading Order

The Dawn of DC line is full of events to the point that one is spinning off the other. Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War is indeed taking place right after the Nightmares of Knight Terrors: Batman.

In Gotham City, a concerted effort has reduced violent crime, but at what cost? Villains disperse as their lives under the new rule start to fall apart. One name comes to Batman’s mind as he recovers from his epic struggle through the Multiverse and the horrors of Knight Terrors. Catwoman is the driving force behind this new, safer Gotham.

The Bat-Family will be torn apart when a feud that has been festering for well over a year finally breaks out on the streets!

Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War is a crossover event that takes place in Batman and Catwoman, as well as in special one-shots and a miniseries. Mostly written by Chip Zdarsky and Tini Howard, with art by Jorge Jimenez, Mike Hawthorne, Nico Leon, and Adriano Di Benedetto, the story is sold as an all-out war between the Bat and the Cat.

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Scooby-Doo Comics, Your DC Comics Reading List

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Scooby-Doo is one of the most famous fictional dogs, the star of his own popular franchise launched in 1969 and still ongoing.

This journey began with the original Hanna-Barbera Productions series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, created by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears. The Saturday morning cartoon series focused on four teenagers named Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy, as well as their talking Great Dane, Scooby-Doo. They traveled in their Mystery Machine van to solve mysteries involving seemingly supernatural creatures, only to learn that the culprit was a disguised human looking to profit from a local tale or myth – or for personal gain.

Gold Key Comics released the first Scooby-Doo comic book only three months after the television premiered. The comics began with adaptations of episodes before transitioning to original storylines. It ran for 30 issues until being canceled in 1974.

This was merely the beginning of the Scooby Gang in comic book form, as additional titles would be released throughout the years. Charlton Comics took over in 1975, followed by Marvel Comics from 1977 to 1979.

In 1993-1994, Harvey Comics released various reprints and specials, while Archie Comics began publishing a monthly Scooby-Doo comic book in 1995. the series came to an end when Warner Bros.’ DC Comics acquired the rights to produce comics based on Hanna-Barbera characters in 1997. Since then, there has always been a Scooby-Doo comic book series in print.

This article is devoted to the Scooby-Doo comics published by DC Comics. Following is a reading list of what the publisher released since owning the rights.

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