Liz's Picks: 8 Must-Pre-Order Comics Before FOC — August 31, 2026

If you’re looking for the books that could be the next big thing on your comic shelf, August 31, 2026 is an important FOC date to remember. We’ve pulled together eight titles that caught our attention for their creators, concepts, characters, and potential to stand out on the racks.

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Midnight Marvel: The Midnight Universe Begins

MIDNIGHT X-MEN #1MIDNIGHT FANTASTIC FOUR #1MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1

Marvel is taking some of its biggest heroes somewhere they’ve never been before.

Launching October 7, the Midnight Universe is a new horror-focused line that reimagines iconic Marvel characters through darker, creator-driven storytelling. The first three books—Midnight X-Men, Midnight Fantastic Four, and Midnight Spider-Man—all arrive on the same day, making this a particularly unusual Marvel launch.

The premise alone makes these books worth watching.

The X-Men aren't fighting for acceptance—they're hungry for blood. The Fantastic Four aren't simply exploring the unknown—they may unleash something terrifying. And Spider-Man is about to discover that great power can come with something much more monstrous.

Marvel is also giving the line an appropriately mysterious presentation with Cloaked Covers, keeping much of the artwork hidden beneath an obscured design.

Our recommendation: If you're a Marvel fan, horror fan, or collector who likes getting in on a new universe from the beginning, we strongly recommend adding all three to your pull box.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees Halloween Special

PATRICK HORVATH'S BENEATH THE TREES WHERE NOBODY SEES HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

One of the most intriguing horror comics returns for a special Halloween one-shot.

Patrick Horvath is joined by an impressive group of creators, including James Tynion IV, Tony Fleecs, Che Grayson, Dave Wachter, Jared Cullum, Tyler Boss, and Matt Emmons, for a collection of new stories set in the world of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees.

Years have passed since Samantha Strong left Woodbrook, but the legend of the town's cuddly serial killer has only grown. With more horrific murders being connected to her name, this Halloween special promises campfire-style storytelling filled with rumors, secrets, and gruesome tales.

Our recommendation: If you enjoyed Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, this is a natural addition to your pull list—and a particularly fun choice for horror collectors looking for a Halloween-themed book.

Crimes Against Nature #1

CRIMES AGAINST NATURE #1

A Hollywood animal trainer, his best friend, and an Academy Award-nominated gorilla walk into a crime they didn't commit.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Crimes Against Nature follows Dr. Kermit Groeden and Amigo the Ape as they're framed for a crime and forced to go on the run. Clearing their names means confronting secrets from their past—and potentially putting their friendship to the ultimate test.

The pitch describes the series as “Koko the Gorilla” meets “The Usual Suspects” and “Pineapple Express,” which should give you a pretty good idea of how unusual this book is.

Our recommendation: This is our wildcard pick of the bunch. If you're looking for something completely different from the typical superhero comic, Crimes Against Nature #1 deserves a look.

Wolverine: Paradise #1

WOLVERINE: PARADISE #1

Logan is leaving the X-Men behind and heading to Miami. But this isn't exactly a vacation.

Writer-artist Dan Panosian takes Wolverine into an entirely new environment as Logan finds himself caught in Miami's criminal underworld. With Dazzler guest-starring, Wolverine: Paradise promises a different kind of Wolverine story—one built around crime, danger, and an auteur-driven creative vision.

The title may say “Paradise,” but Logan's version of Miami sounds anything but peaceful.

Our recommendation: Wolverine fans should have this one on their radar, especially anyone who enjoys standalone stories that take established characters into unexpected settings.

Doom All-On-One #1

DOOM ALL-ON-ONE #1

Doom versus the Marvel Universe. In Hell. Across 50 landscape-oriented splash pages. Need we say more?

Doom All-On-One revisits Doctor Doom's decades-long battles with Mephisto over the soul of Doom's mother and presents what may be the ultimate version of that conflict: Doom facing the entire Marvel Universe across the fires of perdition.

This sounds like a comic designed to be big, ridiculous, spectacular, and unapologetically Doom.

Our recommendation: Doom fans should absolutely be watching this one. The oversized visual storytelling concept alone makes it a standout addition to a pre-order list.

That Texas Blood: Hell Comes to Allison Ranch #1

THAT TEXAS BLOOD: HELL COMES TO ALLISON RANCH #1

The acclaimed That Texas Blood returns with a brand-new number one, making this an excellent jumping-on point for new readers.

Set on March 19, 2003, Sheriff Joe Bob Coates and Deputy Wilson Hart are called to the Allison Ranch—the largest and richest ranch in the United States—where family tensions are quickly turning into something much more dangerous.

And this isn't just another new number one. The issue is packed with bonus material, including behind-the-scenes content, new interviews, essays, cartoons, and more.

Our recommendation: If you've been waiting for an easy way into That Texas Blood, this is the issue to put on your radar.

Don't Miss the August 31 FOC Deadline

These are just a few of the books we think deserve your attention, but FOC is your opportunity to make sure the comics you want actually make it into your pull box.