DIRTY D’s F.O.C. PICKS – OCTOBER 12, 2025
The New York Comic Convention of 2025 has come and gone. I attended two days (Friday & Saturday) and I will say those who attend for 4 days, I don’t know how you do it. I initially regretted not going Thursday, but after Friday’s craziness I felt more at ease with the decision to keep it to two. That is enough for this old man.
But hey, just because I wore myself out running around a convention floor, bouncing off crowds like a football player trying to break free from tackles, doesn’t mean I can’t finish my FOC picks. Fortunately (for me) it’s a bit light this week.
COVER OF THE WEEK
Poison Ivy #38 – Zeen Chin Variant
It was pointed out that this may be Zeen Chin’s first comic cover (or at least American comic), and this seems to be the case. Zeen is an artist from Malaysia. A lot of his art tends to be on the darker side, leaning to the side of the supernatural. As good as this cover is, it doesn’t do his other work justice in terms of depth, texture and mood. A lot of potential here, and this book could be one to hold onto for spec potential being a DC variant cover. And for that reason this is the Cover of the Week.
NOTABLE REPRINTS
Mark Spears Monsters #4 – 2nd Printing
Spears is everywhere now. And the reprints of his earlier Monsters comics keep coming.
Some of his best covers are horror themed homages. As is the case with this issue, an homage of the Nick Cardy classic Christmas cover for The Witching Hour #28.
Batman #47 – Facsimile Edition (Foil)
Batman’s origin is told in depth.
NEW ONES
Experience Batmans epic journey during the explosive DC K.O. event! The Dark Knight is forced to take a different path in the tournament for the Heart of Apokolips – one that has turned Gotham into a deadly arena where Batman must battle against the Batmen of the future! Who are these Batmen? Stay tuned to find out! Get ready for the greatest fight of Batmans life in this over-the-top crossover miniseries!
Harley & Ivy: Life & Crimes #1
A new series entirely about Harley and Ivys relationship! Witness the entire story of the DCUs number-one criminal couple from the very start! Eisner Award-winning artist and writer Erica Henderson weaves the canonical story of how Ivy and Harley went from enemies to friends to lovers! See their first kiss, their first embrace, their first fight, the first time Harley went to the bathroom with the door open in front of Ivy (that one is a joke, jeez), etc.! You’re gonna love the way this book makes you look–we guarantee it!
Is Hulk really the strongest there is? Sure, he’s stronger than most PEOPLE…but is he really stronger than EVERYTHING? Dinosaurs? Planets? Gravity? Cosmic forces??? Find out here because when we say Hulk takes on all-comers in this new miniseries, we really mean it!!!
Spider-Man: Holiday Spectacular #1
Peter Parker is all alone for the holidays Luckily, the Spectacular Spider-Man has some amazing friends he can celebrate with! But can the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, the X-Men, Daredevil and more handle winter with the wise-crackin’ Web-Head? Or will the Thing have to send Spidey packing to ensure a silent night? Rainbow Rowell and a bevy of Marvel’s finest artists deliver a holiday romp to all the good boys and girls who read magnificent Marvel mags!
The X-Men of Apocalypse are here in the Marvel Universe – and that’s a very bad thing for the Uncanny X-Men!
CLASSIFIEDS
One World Under Doom #9 – Spoiler Variant
FINALE! Doom has confronted all of Earth’s heroes in battle – and he’s won. What’s more, he’s used the magical power of Sorcerer Supreme to ensure that this victory has become a fixed moment in time: a thing that will stand forever, impervious to magic or time travel alike. But unbeknownst to Doom, in that climatic moment that can now never be changed, the seeds of Doom’s downfall were also fixed for all eternity. Left with an intolerable defeat that cannot be changed, Doom makes a choice he can never undo – and the rest of the world will pay his price… …it all comes down to this in the big finale of ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM! PLUS: If the Sorcerer Supreme falls, who will rise to take his place? Find out here!
Spoiler likely reveals new Sorcerer Supreme. Any guesses?
There’s also a Foreshadow variant. This new sorcerer will get a new title, as was revealed in the “Next Big Thing” panel at NYCC on Saturday.
GIMMICK(s) OF THE WEEK
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13 – Blind Bags
Kicking off a new creative team on the book with blind bags, priced at the regular $4.99. The full lineup of cool covers that can surprise fans when they open their blind bags (Variant F) includes:
- Freddie E. Williams II (Cover A)
- Kevin Eastman and Ben Bishop (Cover B)
- Jared Cullum (Cover C, Holiday Theme Variant)
- Clayton Crain (Cover D)
- Daniel Warren Johnson (Cover E)
- Kevin Eastman and Ben Bishop full art (1:25 incentive variant)
- Clayton Crain full art (1:50 incentive variant)
- Daniel Warren Johnson full art (1:75 incentive variant)
- Dustin Nguyen (1:100 incentive variant)
- David Nakayama (1:250 incentive variant)
- Nathan Szerdy (blind bag exclusive 1:25 ratio variant)
- Rahzzah (blind bag exclusive 1:100 ratio variant, features first cover appearance of new villain Ujigami)
- David Nakayama full art (blind bag exclusive 1:250 ratio variant)
The Blood is back! Creator Rob Liefeld returns to write and draw the comic that started it all. The Team is summoned to a crisis in the Pacific as a mysterious vessel appears and a deadly nemesis is revealed! CVR A comes polybagged with a collectible card
Polybagged with a Trading Card.
Parting Thoughts.
And that’s it for the week! I’m outta here until next week. Later