Comic book fans are in for a treat this week as October 1st, 2025 brings an exciting lineup of new releases hitting shelves across the country. The date marks a significant milestone for collectors and casual readers alike, with several notable first appearances and major storylines continuing.

One of the most anticipated releases is Absolute Evil number one from DC Comics, featuring the debut of three major characters in the Absolute universe. This single issue introduces readers to Absolute Green Arrow, Absolute Hawkman, and Absolute Lex Luthor, marking their first appearances in this alternate continuity. The comic also showcases an intriguing team-up featuring Rosa Ghoul, Veronica Kale, Elanor Thal, Hector Hammond, and the Joker, promising a villainous ensemble that could reshape the Absolute timeline.

Marvel Comics continues its strong October presence with multiple flagship titles hitting stands. The Amazing Spider-Man reaches issue 13, while Venom celebrates a landmark with issue 250, representing decades of the symbiote's evolution in comics. New series are also launching, including Spider-Man Noir issue 1, which takes the web-slinger into darker territory, and White Tiger Reborn issue 1, revitalizing a classic character for modern audiences.

The X-Men franchise expands significantly this week with two new limited series. X-Men Age of Revelation Overture issue 1 and X-Men The Undertow issue 1 both debut, adding fresh perspectives to the mutant mythos. Ultimate X-Men continues its run with issue 20, while Ultimate Wolverine reaches issue 10, showing the sustained popularity of Marvel's Ultimate universe revival.

Street Fighter fans have something special to look forward to with the 2025 Street Fighter and Friends Swimsuit Special, available in multiple variant covers. This one-shot celebrates the beloved video game franchise with artwork from renowned artists including Reiq, Quasimodox, Tovio Rogers, and Kinu Nishimura.

Looking ahead to the coming weeks, collectors are already anticipating major collection releases scheduled for mid-August 2025. DC plans to release several omnibus editions, including Batman by Tom King Omnibus Volume 1 and Batman Detective Comics by Mariko Tamaki Omnibus. Marvel will counter with their own heavy hitters, featuring the Annihilation Conquest Omnibus in a new printing and various Epic Collection volumes covering Thor and Spider-Man Deadpool storylines.

The comic book market continues to show strength with specialty retailers reporting strong pre-order numbers despite shipping challenges. Some stores are dealing with billing cycle complications due to the month transition, but overall enthusiasm remains high among both retailers and customers.

This week represents just the beginning of what promises to be an action-packed October for comic book enthusiasts, with major publishers delivering both familiar characters and exciting new storylines.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI