4th Annual Halloween ComicFest Announced

Diamond Comic Distributors announces a celebration of comics, comic shops, and pop-culture in October with the fourth annual Halloween ComicFest (HCF) store event! 

Communities are encouraged to check out their local comic shop and get free comics while also participating in special Halloween events such as costume contests, sales, character appearances and more on Saturday, October 31st.

During Halloween ComicFest, adults and kids can go into a local participating comic shop and get free Halloween and horror-themed comics and mini-comics published specifically for Halloween ComicFest. This year, there are 21 titles— thirteen full-sized comics and eight mini-comics—available to choose from, including Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man and Avengers #1, Doctor Strange: The Oath, Donald Duck’s Halloween Scream! #1, Sabrina #1, Skylanders, Yo-Kai Watch and other frightening fun tales. 

Retailers will also be selling HCF Mini-Comic Polypacks: a pack of 25 copies for fans to purchase and pass out on Halloween to trick-or-treaters, party-goers, at school events and more. It’s a great way to give out an entertaining story to kids that will last longer than any Halloween candy they will receive! Available in stores on September 30th, the Mini-Comic Polypacks can currently be pre-ordered from comic book shops, so fans can purchase the specific titles and number of packs they want to prepare for their Halloween activities.

“This year, Halloween ComicFest gets spookier as it’s celebrated on Halloween, allowing comic shops to really bring out their ‘fun and scary’ side,” said Halloween ComicFest spokesperson, Deborah Moreland. “Comic shops are already a great destination for new comics and pop-culture related items, but now new and current customers can see the great Halloween and horror comics and merchandise that local comic shops have to offer. With awesome Halloween ComicFest events hosted in stores, cool mini-comic polypacks available for purchase, and the return of “The Greatest Halloween Costume Contest” on the Hallweencomicfest.com website, Halloween ComicFest is the perfect Halloween celebration for kids and adults to enjoy this October! 

Designed to celebrate comic shops as unique community businesses and reach new customers, Halloween ComicFest helps retailers and the entire comics industry springboard into the end of the year holiday selling season. Comic fans are encouraged to check out www.halloweencomicfest.com over the coming months for more information on the event and local retailer activities. Also visit Halloween ComicFest on social media on Facebook www.facebook.com/halloweencomicfests , Twitter @halloweenomic and Instagram @halloweencomicfest. 

Celebrating its fourth year, Halloween ComicFest is an annual event where participating comic book specialty shops across North America and beyond celebrate the Halloween season by giving away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. The event is taking place on Halloween and is the perfect opportunity to introduce friends and family to the many reasons why comic shops are a great destination for Halloween themed comic books, products and merchandise. From zombies, vampires, monsters and aliens to costumes and more, comic shops have it all when it comes to Halloween fun!

(W) Vito Delsante, Various (A) Ray-Anthony Height, Sean Izaakse 

(CA) Ray-Anthony Height, Various

ACTIONVERSE DEBUTS! Get a peek at the creator-owned event of the year that everyone will be talking about from Action Lab… ACTIONVERSE! Action Lab ties its creator-owned superhero properties together in a universe-shattering event never before attempted by a comic publisher! Preview the Midnight Tiger, Molly Danger and Stray crossover; get the who’s who on all the major Heroes and Villains, and get a special first look at our new series, Action Lab: Dog of Wonder! (STK682501)

32pgs, FC PI 

(W) Jason Martin, Dan Mendoza (A) Winston Young (CA) Winston Young, Dan Mendoza

Get a look at the latest offbeat genre heroine from Danger Zone… Vampblade! After appearing in the pages of Zombie Tramp and then guest-starring in a limited series with the queen of the undead, the mystical blade-wielding Vampblade is all set to debut her own ongoing series in 2016! Here’s your chance to see what the book is all about and also take a peek at Zombie Tramp and friends! (STK682503)

MATURE THEMES

32pgs, FC PI 

(W) Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (A) Robert Hack, Jack Morelli

(CA) Robert Hack, Rosario “Tito” Peña

There’s no better way to kick off your Halloween than with Archie Comics’ newest horror series! Terror is born anew in this dark reimagining of Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s origin. On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, the young sorceress finds herself at a crossroads, having to choose between an unearthly destiny and her mortal boyfriend, Harvey. But a foe from her family’s past has arrived in Greendale, Madame Satan, and she has her own deadly agenda. Relive all the horror with this special black and white presentation of the critically-acclaimed first issue. For TEEN+ readers.

32pgs, B&W PI 

(W) Vince Hernandez (A/CA) Adam Archer

A pulse-pounding Psycho Bonkers action-adventure story for fans of all ages! Join the cast of this completely brand-new, full-throttle series — featuring Fathom’s Ernie the Seahorse and characters from many of Aspen’s most popular titles — as they team up to win a thrilling, issue-spanning race! Aspen Comics once again offers a unique comic and coloring book package that includes a crafted full-length story geared for kids to color, plus added puzzles, mazes and other fun-filled activities for children and readers of all ages!

32pgs, FC PI 

(W/A) Various

A scary good DC kids title! Check back in an upcoming issue of PREVIEWS and at halloweencomicfest.com for the title and contents of this comic!

32pgs, FC PI

(W/A) Various

A frightfully fun DC teen title! Check back in an upcoming issue of PREVIEWS and at halloweencomicfest.com for the title and contents of this comic!

32pgs, FC PI

(W/A/CA) Shigeru Mizuki

Shigeru Mizuki’s The Birth of Kitaro tells the spooky origin story of the legendary mangaka’s most popular character. This preview is taken from the golden era of the late 1960s, when Kitaro truly hit its stride as an all-ages supernatural series. Mizuki’s Kitaro is both timelessly relevant and undeniably influential, inspiring a decades-long boom in stories about yokai, Japanese ghosts and monsters. This Halloween Special is the perfect introduction to the new all-ages Kitaro series coming in 2016 from D&Q!

32pgs, B&W PI 

(W) Stan Lee & Various (A) Jeevan Kang, Various (CA) Jeevan Kang

Straight from the Free Comic Book Day release and based on the animated shorts seen on Angry Birds ToonsTV with over 30 Million views worldwide, Chakra the Invincible is the latest superhero from legendary creator, Stan Lee. Join Chakra and his friends for a very special Halloween as Dr. Singh sits you down by the campfire and tells you about some of Chakra’s most sinister villains and spookiest adventures! (STK681608)

32pgs, FC PI 

(W/A) William Van Horn (CA) Dan Noonan

Classic Disney haunts are home for the howl-idays! In “It’s In the Bag” and “Public Ugly #1,” trick-or-treating Donald scares up a literal ton of candy… then is forced to get rid of it by fair means or foul!

32pgs, FC PI 

(W) Brian K. Vaughan (A/CA) Marcos Martin

Doctor Strange embarks on the most important investigation of his career, as he sets out to solve an attempted murder — his own! And with his best friend near death, Stephen Strange turns to an unexpected corner of the Marvel Universe to recruit a new ally!

32pgs, FC PI 

(W) Joe Caramagna, Jim Zub (A) Ron Lim, Mario Del Pannino

(CA) Kalman Andrasofszky

When Peter Parker has a terrible day, he discovers that none other than Nightmare is behind it! But how can the Ultimate Spider-Man defeat a foe that’s inside his own head? Guest-starring Doctor Strange! Then the Avengers take on their spookiest mission yet when they travel to Castle Doom to face Dracula! And if that’s not enough, Dracula’s brought a horde of bloodthirsty vampires with him!

32pgs, FC PI 

(W/A) Junji Ito

An old wooden mansion that turns on its inhabitants. A dissection class with a most unusual subject. A funeral where the dead are definitely not laid to rest. Ranging from the terrifying to the comedic, from the erotic to the loathsome, these stories showcase Junji Ito’s long-awaited return to the world of horror. For TEEN+ readers.

32pgs, B&W PI 

(W) Shane McKenzie (A) Przemyslaw Klosin (CA) Sean Ellery

Inspired by Tales from the Crypt and Creepshow, Zenescope goes back to its roots of horror for this special Halloween Comic Fest reprint of Grimm Tales of Terror #2! When a group of treasure hunters heads to the Amazon in search of the priceless Spider King relic, they will find that the “Web of Deceit” they’ve spun has put them in a horrifying predicament!

32pgs, FC PI 

(W) Philip Kim (A/CA) Rick Koslowski

Olive, a curious butcher’s apprentice, decides to crash a monster’s party on Halloween Eve. Disguised as a goofy vampire alpaca, she meets an equally goofy vampire horse named Vourdain. But what is Olive going to do when it’s morning and time for all monsters to unmask?

Mini-Comic, 6×9, 12pgs, FC (Bundle of 20) PI

(W) Art Baltazar, Franco (A/CA) Art Baltazar

Cory loves monsters. He dresses up in monster suits and reads monster magazines, much to the chagrin of his mother, who would rather he be working in a mailroom. But when Cory learns about his hero Wilbur Atchison’s studio tours, he suddenly sees an opportunity for greatness! But he soon finds out that not all of Hollywood is make believe. An all-ages adventure in the spirit of The Goonies and Monster Squad! 

Mini-Comic, 6×9, 12pgs, FC (Bundle of 20) PI

(W) George Gladir (A) Fernando Ruiz, Rich Koslowski, Jack Morelli, Barry Grossman

(CA) Bill Galvan, Bob Smith, Rosario “Tito” Peña

Strange things are going on in Riverdale! You’re invited to the best Halloween party of the year — exclusively for monsters! Is it possible that Archie and Jughead have really stumbled into a Halloween party where the guests are not in costume, but are actual, real-live monsters?! Find out for yourself if this tale is a ‘trick’ or a ‘treat’ in “For Monsters Only!”

Mini-Comic, 6×9, 12pgs, FC (Bundle of 20) PI

(W) Jones Wiedle, Jeremy Sorese, Shannon Watters, Noelle Stevenson

(A) Jones Wiedle, Coleman Engle, Brittney Williams, Felicia Choo

(CA) Michelle Ankley

Enjoy three, spooky tales for your reading pleasure in this BOOM! Studios Halloween Special, featuring short stories from Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and Lumberjanes. Perfect for passing out on Halloween instead of/in addition to candy!

Mini-Comic, 6×9, 12pgs, FC (Bundle of 20) PI

(W) Art Baltazar, Franco (A/CA) Art Baltazar

The Volcano Goddess threatens the Mama Woogees’ tiny island! What can their creation Grimmiss do to stop this terror? Between an eye exam, a tough lesson in love, and stopping the Tiki Monoliths, there are lots of things for a little guy with a skull head to do!

Mini-Comic, 6×9, 12pgs, FC (Bundle of 20) PI

(W) Cornelia Funke, Raul Garcia (A/CA) Francisco Herrera

Some Hollywood Horror stories are true! Based on best-selling YA author Cornelia Funke’s “Little Werewolf”, comic artist Francisco Herrera (Venom, Megamind) and Disney Animator Raúl García (Aladdin, The Lion King) bring you a fun new short story and activities set in the world of the upcoming graphic novel, Bitten!”

Mini-Comic, 6×9, 12pgs, FC (Bundle of 20) PI 

(W) Ron Marz, David A. Rodriguez (A) Fico Ossio (CA) Fico Ossio

Happy Halloween from Skylands! Enjoy this special comic treat as we introduce you to the candy villainy of Pain-Yatta! This issue reprints a special selection from the Skylanders: Light in the Dark storyline featured in Skylanders Volume 4 coming next month!

Mini-Comic, 6×9, 12pgs, FC (Bundle of 20) PI 

(W/A) Noriyuki Konishi

Nate Adams is just an average kid until the mysterious Whisper gives him a device that allows him to see what others cannot, Yo-kai of all shapes and forms! Now, armed with the Yo-kai Watch, Nate, Whisper and their new invisible friends embark on an all-new supernatural adventure! 

Mini-Comic, 6×9, 12pgs, FC (Bundle of 20) PI 

______________________________