Welcome back True Believers! You know coffee and comics are two of our favorite things—and they go together so well! Thus, each week in this space we offer the top five comics we are enjoying with a cup of our coffee. We also love our community and want to know what you are reading and what Coffee 'n' Capes coffee you are drinking. Share your reading and drinking choices with us at supers@coffeencapes.com.
And. here. we. go:
FEATURED COFFEE:
For one last week, our featured coffee is Merv Pumpkin Spice. Fall is here, that time when our dreaming is full of leaves on the ground, a chill to the air, and pumpkin spice coffee. Merv Pumpkin Spice is the perfect blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg to bring your morning, or afternoon, cup of coffee that touch of fall we love. It goes great next to a grinning jack-o-lantern.
This limited time only roast is best enjoyed on crisp fall mornings, day dreaming while sipping and reading your favorite comic books, or walking through the park. Merv Pumpkin Spice—a hauntingly good medium roast. You might even say it’s dreamy.
On to the comics!
5. Batman: The Long Halloween #1 (1996)
Night has fallen here at Coffee ’n’ Capes headquarters and the ghosts and goblins are out in force! Along with some super heroes and princesses and robots and ninjas and…all the fun costumes. What better way to kick off our Halloween Night of comic book reading than with this classic story from writer Jeff Loeb and artist Tim Sale? Journey through the year with a young Batman as he tries to decipher the identity of this new serial killer known as ‘Holiday.’ Is it one of his usual foes like Joker, Riddler, or Catwoman, in a new phase? Or is it someone darker and even scarier? If you haven’t read this one (or just haven’t read it in a while), give it a read tonight. Like all the best stories, even if you know how it turns out, you can still find something you missed the first time. Or just enjoy the stylized, distinctive art that sets this comic apart and really embodies the Halloween spirit.
4. Stuff of Nightmares #1 (2022)
You read Goosebumps back in the day (didn’t you?), now R. L. Stine is back writing comics. But this book is not for the kiddos! With truly creepy art by A.L. Kaplan, this story tells a seemingly familiar tale of mad scientist brothers who still think it is a good idea to attempt to create life itself. After all, what could possibly go wrong?? Well, pretty much everything. But what have they actually created? This book grabs you from the start and you will want to stick around to find out. Bonus: a slew of great variant covers, including two different glow-in-the-dark covers! All available right here, if you dare!
3. Night of the Ghoul #1 (2022)
Written by none other than Scott Snyder with artist Francesco Francavilla, this book tells the sordid tale of a 1930’s classic horror movie that never made it to the big screen. Why? Just before final editing, a mysterious fire destroyed all the footage and killed the entire cast and crew. Fast forward about 90 years and a man named Forest Inman finds what he thinks might be a reel of the long lost film! But what if the film really is haunted? Could it be that ghoul isn’t just in the film…but real and out for blood and death?!? Pick up this book and find out! (You can even buy it right here at Coffee ’n’ Capes.)
2. Basketful of Heads #1 (2019)
Ok, this book is seriously insane. Its features include: a mystical 8th century Viking axe, severed heads that can still talk, and, as the title suggests, an actual basket for carrying around all those severed heads. Written by Joe Hill with art by Leomacs, this book will totally creep you out. Or at least it does me. What’s the story? I’m not sure I can do it justice, nor am I sure I should even try. Broad strokes: there is a kidnapping, criminals, and a person walking around in a rain slicker (which is always unsettling in and of itself), and of course the titular basket that is full of severed heads. I mean really, what more could you possibly want from a horror comic book on Halloween?! Do your self a favor and find this book and read it! Please? I don’t want to be this wigged out all by myself.
1. DC vs. Vampires #6 (2021)
We return to the world of darkness created by writers James Tynion IV and Matthew Rosenberg and artist Otto Schmidt. In this issue, Batman and the Bat Family have escaped the attack from the Justice League and think they have found a safe place to regroup, recover, and plan their next moves. They should have known better. The turned members of the League (Green Lantern and Wonder Woman!) come knocking on their door. Literally. But they just want to talk, right? Right?! Uh, no. These two were heavy hitters before they added vampire powers to their skill set. Now? They seem unstoppable. But! You know Batman has a plan and even manages to gain the upper hand. Right about then, however, the identity of the Vampire King is revealed—and it changes everything! That is why this issue is the top pick for this Halloween night because that reveal is as shocking and horrifying as anything you will read tonight.