Monday, October 5 is this cycle's FOC deadline — the last call for retailers (and the last call for you) to lock in orders before the order window slams shut. Below is our curated rundown of what's genuinely worth ordering before that cutoff, plus a look at last cycle's picks that are either still in transit or already in stores and heating up.
On FOC This Monday, October 5
These books are still open for order — miss Monday’s cutoff and they’re gone until (and unless) a second printing happens. Here’s what we’re watching this cycle.
Absolute Superman #25 (DC Comics)
DC's blockbuster Absolute line hits a milestone 25th issue with a full gatefold triptych main cover from Rafa Sandoval, backed by connecting variants from Terry Dodson, Juan Ferreyra, and Bryan Hitch, plus a blank sketch incentive. The Absolute universe has been the single hottest ongoing conversation in DC speculation all year, and a round-number anniversary issue with this much variant firepower behind it is exactly the kind of book that moves fast once the order window closes.
BRZRKR: City of Darkness #1 (BOOM! Studios)
A brand-new #1 launch inside the BRZRKR universe, the creator-owned franchise co-created by Keanu Reeves that's spent years in active film development. New entry points into a franchise with real Hollywood upside tend to draw heavy incentive support, and this one ships with a full 1:10 through 1:50 foil incentive ladder on top of the standard cover lineup.
Vampirella Vs. Darkstalkers Special #1 (Dynamite)
Dynamite's flagship vampire hunter crosses paths with Capcom's Darkstalkers roster in a brand-new one-shot crossover, and the publisher has thrown one of its widest cover programs of the year behind it — a full lineup of painted variants plus a blind-bag "Premium Mystery" cover for collectors who like a little chance mixed into their speculation.
Spider-Woman #1 (Marvel)
Jessica Drew headlines a brand-new ongoing series, giving speculators a fresh #1 entry point on an MCU-adjacent character with a long film and streaming history. New Marvel #1s with movie-connected leads are consistently among the fastest-moving order-cutoff books each cycle.
Friendly Neighborhood Mary Jane #1 (Marvel)
A new ongoing built entirely around Mary Jane Watson, one of the Spider-Man corner's most recognizable names. The lineup includes a Bruce Timm variant, always a name that draws extra attention from collectors given his animation pedigree and comparatively rare comic cover work.
Emperor Doom #1 & Challenges of Doom: Doctor Strange #1 (Marvel)
Two new one-shots tied to Marvel's Doom-centric event slate arrive on FOC together, landing right as Doctor Doom's on-screen role in Avengers: Doomsday keeps the character at the center of Marvel movie conversation. Both books carry Peach Momoko variants — an artist whose covers have been consistent secondary-market outperformers all year.
Challenges Of Doom: Doctor Strange #1
Shop NowInvincible Universe: Capes #12 (Image Comics)
The Invincible Universe keeps expanding on FOC right as Amazon Prime Video confirmed a release window for Invincible Season 4, and renewed streaming attention has a way of pulling the whole comics universe — spinoffs included — back into the speculation conversation.
Invincible Universe: Capes #12 Cover A Mark Englert
Shop NowSpawn #380 (Image Comics)
Todd McFarlane's flagship keeps closing in on issue #400, and a long-running franchise with a film adaptation that's cycled in and out of active development tends to hold steady collector interest no matter what number is on the cover.
Ben 10 #6 (Dynamite)
The widest variant program on this cycle's FOC list — thirteen covers deep, including metal and Atlas signed editions — for a nostalgia-driven animated franchise that continues to find a steady collector base among adult fans who grew up with it.
Sonic the Hedgehog X Godzilla #4 (IDW Publishing)
The crossover event between two major licensed franchises reaches its concluding chapter, and earlier issues in the mini have been climbing steadily on the secondary market as the story builds toward its finale.
Past FOC, Not Out Yet — Coming Soon
The order window on these has already closed, but none of them have shipped yet. If you missed the cutoff, here’s when to actually expect them on shelves.
Filthy Lambs #1 (Mad Cave Studios) — streets October 21
This new horror series' order window already closed, but the book itself doesn't hit shelves until October 21. A promising premise and a striking Chris Evenhuis main cover have kept it in the conversation since solicitation.
Immortal Coil #1 (Prana Publishers) — streets November 4
A dark fantasy reimagining of Norse mythology steeped in eldritch horror. FOC has passed, but the book won't actually ship until November 4.
Mad Science Division #1 (Ignition Press) — streets November 4
A sci-fi thriller built around genetic engineering and bioweapons. The order cutoff has come and gone, but it isn't due on shelves until November 4.
Universal Monsters: Bride of Frankenstein Lives #1 (Image Comics) — streets October 28
A new horror one-shot built around the Bride, backed by one of the deepest cover programs of the cycle. FOC is behind us, but the book itself doesn't land until October 28.
Darkstalkers X Street Fighter: Hell on Earth #1 (UDON Entertainment) — streets November 4
The crossover finale between two beloved Capcom fighting-game franchises, with cover art one reviewer called straight out of a horror-movie poster. Order window closed, but it won't ship until November 4.
Darkstalkers X Street Fighter: Hell On Earth #1 Cover A Alberto Alburquerque
Shop NowAbsolute Flash #20 (DC Comics) — streets October 21
This issue debuts Ray Palmer in the Absolute universe alongside a major unannounced DC character. FOC has already passed, but it doesn't actually street until October 21.
Absolute Batman #25 (DC Comics) — streets October 28
A milestone 25th issue built around a full gatefold triptych cover, with the first full appearance of the redesigned Absolute Cheetah rumored inside. This is one of the most anticipated books of the season — the order window has closed, but it doesn't hit shelves until October 28.
The Amazing Venom #2 (Marvel) — streets October 28
The follow-up to a status-quo-shifting Venom launch, backed by a striking Japanese-magazine-style Superlog variant. FOC is behind us, but the book streets October 28.
Already on Shelves — Not on FOC, But Still Worth Grabbing
These aren’t part of this cycle’s FOC at all — they’re already out — but they’re driving real secondary-market buzz right now and worth a look while copies last.
Detective Comics #1113 (DC Comics)
Already on shelves, but still the single most-tracked back issue in comics right now: this issue debuted "Rhetoric," a new villain created through a fan competition, and the Jim Lee "Building Bad" variant has topped multiple market-tracking charts this week.
Absolute Batman #24 (DC Comics)
Already shipped, and still driving real secondary-market heat: this issue features the debut of Absolute Batgirl, and the wraparound chase cover has posted some of the strongest fair-market-value gains of any single issue this month.
Avengers: Armageddon #4 (Marvel)
On shelves now, and worth a second look: the Michael Cho spoiler variant is the only cover that reveals Miracleman rejoining the Avengers roster — a genuine character-return moment that's been pulling collector attention toward the whole event.
Alien Vs. X-Men #1 (Marvel)
Releasing today — not part of this cycle's FOC, but the mutants-vs-xenomorphs crossover has been building buzz across the comics press since it was first announced, and it's finally in stores.
Hillbilly: The Treason of Twelve-Toe Maggie #1 (Dark Horse Comics)
Also releasing today: Eric Powell's backwoods fantasy series returns, with Rondel forced to decide whether to break his magical tie to an old friend turned witch.
Hillbilly: The Treason Of Twelve-Toe Maggie #1 Cover A Eric Powell
Shop NowDenver #2 (Mad Cave Studios)
On shelves today, with the Ben Caldwell cover earning "Cover of the Week" honors from the speculation press this cycle.
Poison Ivy #48 (DC Comics)
Releasing today as part of the Batman: Bad Seeds tie-in, and already one of the week's most-talked-about covers — collectors are tracking the Hayden Sherman Dark Knight Returns 40th-anniversary card stock variant closely.
Savage Dragon #282 (Image Comics)
Already on shelves, and still flagged as a hot ongoing title this week, with retailers reporting limited shelf copies remaining.
Hellraiser: Resurrections – The Return of the Priest #1 (BOOM! Studios)
On shelves today as a "One and Done" pick from the speculation press, centered on Pinhead and Hell's Priest.
Sources
- Comics Heating Up — Dirty D's F.O.C. 9/28/26
- Comics Heating Up — Comic Picks of the Week for Delivery 9/30/26
- Comics Heating Up — Covrprice.com Top Ten for Week Ending 9/27/26
- Comics Heating Up — Covrprice.com Top Ten Runners-Up
- SlashFilm — Invincible Season 4 Details
- Tom's Guide — Invincible Season 4 Release Window
- Variety India — Marvel at San Diego Comic-Con 2026
- The Beat — Marvel November 2026 Solicitations