Well... it looks like Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft #1 has escaped the Mists and wandered back onto this week's FOC list. I'm guessing it was delayed, so if this sounds familiar, that's because I featured it back on my July 13 FOC Picks.
If you missed it the first time, here it is again.
Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft #1
Top Pick: Cover A – Guillem March
I almost picked Francesco Francavilla's Cover C because... well... it's Francesco Francavilla.
But if I'm only choosing one, I'm sticking with Cover A by Guillem March.
If you grew up playing the classic Ravenloft modules, you already know why this made my list. Ravenloft has always been one of the darkest and most atmospheric settings in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. It leans heavily into gothic horror, haunted castles, vampires, cursed lands, and all the things that make horror fans smile.
And honestly?
We don't get enough horror fantasy comics.
I'm recommending this because I think it'll be a genuinely fun read—not because I think it's going to become a $500 key issue overnight.
Buy it because you love Ravenloft.
Buy it because you enjoy dark fantasy.
Just don't buy it expecting it to pay for your retirement.
📖 Read Pick
Hello Darkness #25
Top Pick: Covers B & C
Once again, BOOM! Studios knows exactly what they're doing.
You know how every week I end my article by saying:
"If I could only preorder one comic from this week's Final Order Cutoff..."
Well... apparently BOOM! looked at that and said, "That's cute. Buy two."
Covers B and C by Jenny Frison form one gorgeous connecting image.
Mission accomplished.
They got me.
I'll admit it—I haven't actually read Hello Darkness yet. I know it's become one of BOOM!'s most popular horror anthologies, but I can't honestly tell you whether every story in this issue is going to be amazing.
What I can tell you is that these connecting covers are fantastic.
This issue also brings back Marian Heretic, Tini Howard's breakout nunsploitation horror series, while adding a brand-new story about grief, loss, and what looks to be a seriously twisted psychological horror tale.
So yes... this started as a cover buy.
But the contents are becoming more interesting every month.
🎨 Cover Pick
Hellraiser: Resurrections – The Deep Gospel #1
Top Pick: Cover A
We're now up to the third installment in BOOM! Studios' Hellraiser: Resurrections series of one-shots, all leading into the new ongoing Hellraiser series launching later this year.
This issue shifts the spotlight to one of the franchise's classic Cenobites—the Female Cenobite.
After being nearly destroyed, she's rebuilt by the mysterious Engineer... but refuses to become the weapon he intends her to be.
Instead, she's cast into the terrifying Nidus, where newly created Cenobites fight for survival before earning their place in Hell's hierarchy.
I really like that each of these one-shots focuses on a different corner of the Hellraiser mythology instead of simply recycling Pinhead over and over again.
If you've been following the relaunch from the beginning, this looks like another important chapter leading toward the ongoing series.
And Cover A by Rebeca Puebla is an easy choice for me.
📖 Read Pick
Punisher #8
Top Pick: David Marquez Cover
Sometimes a cover doesn't have to be deep.
Sometimes it just has to make you laugh.
That's exactly what happened here.
Seeing The Punisher blast an enormous hole straight through Deadpool is one of those wonderfully ridiculous comic book moments that immediately grabbed my attention.
Sure, Deadpool will heal.
That's kind of the point.
The issue itself promises a showdown between Frank Castle and Wade Wilson while hinting that someone else is secretly pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Sounds fun.
But if I'm being honest...
I'm buying this one for the cover.
David Marquez absolutely nailed it.
Is it destined to become one of Marvel's all-time iconic covers?
Probably not.
Will Punisher and Deadpool fans get a kick out of it?
Absolutely.
🎨 Cover Pick
🏆 Wrath's FOC Pick of the Week
If I could only preorder one comic from this week's Final Order Cutoff...
...I'd immediately break my own rule.
Hello Darkness #25 – Covers B & C
I know.
It's supposed to be one comic.
But BOOM! got me with those connecting Jenny Frison covers.
Sometimes publishers know exactly how to separate collectors from their money, and this is one of those times.
Between the beautiful artwork and my growing curiosity about one of horror's most talked-about anthology series, Hello Darkness #25 earns my Pick of the Week.
This Week at a Glance
💰 Spec Picks: 0
📖 Read Picks: 2
🎨 Cover Picks: 2
🏆 Pick of the Week: Hello Darkness #25 – Covers B & C
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