This October, three titles, IDW’s Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees and Image’s Devour and Hack/Slash/Body Bags, received second print runs after quickly selling out. These stories span different genres, from suspense to horror, and it’s nice to see how new names are getting the attention they deserve.
Second print runs for comics like these are a testament to their appeal and give fans who missed out on the first releases another chance to get involved. For collectors, it’s also a great opportunity to own a unique print that may carry its own value, especially if the titles go on to gain a cult following or wider success. These reprints often come with slight modifications in cover art or design, adding to their appeal and making each edition feel distinctive.
What We See In These Titles
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees combines the charm of small-town life with a dark twist. Set in a seemingly idyllic woodland town populated by cute anthropomorphic animals, the story quickly turns sinister as we meet the protagonist, a small-town bear who runs a hardware store by day and secretly commits gruesome murders by night. This stark contrast between cozy aesthetics and disturbing themes is unsettlingly effective, drawing readers in with curiosity and dread.
Devour: It Happened on Hyde Street is a twisted, horror-infused tale from Image Comics that follows Lily, a bride-to-be struggling with body image as she prepares for her wedding. With sharp, suspenseful writing by Maytal Zchut and eerie artwork from Leila Leiz, Devour masterfully blends horror with social commentary. Leiz’s art captures Lily’s psychological unraveling, enhancing the horror with unsettling visuals that keep readers guessing. It’s a dark take on the lengths we go to for the “perfect” image, echoing classic horror tales but with a modern twist on self-image pressures. For fans of creepy, thought-provoking horror, Devour is a captivating one-shot that sticks with you.
Hack/Slash = Body Bags #1 drops Cassie Hack and her partner Vlad in the gritty streets of Terminus, Georgia, where they’re hunting a killer called “Edgelord.” The artwork by Steve Kurth and Stefano Caselli, combined with Kurt Michael Russell’s darkly vibrant color work, captures the grungy, intense atmosphere of the setting. The visuals lean into a mix of gritty realism and hyper-stylized action, creating an unsettling vibe that’s perfect for a slasher tale. For fans of horror-action comics, Hack/Slash = Body Bags brings a twisted, energetic start that leaves you eager to see where this hunt will lead.
Why Second Print Runs Are Exciting for Fans
Seeing a comic get a second print run isn’t just about sales; it’s about a story that has captured the attention of a wide audience. For fans, it’s exciting to know that they’re part of a growing community around these titles. Being able to grab a second edition of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees or Hack/Slash/Body Bags means joining a collective of readers who appreciate the same dark, imaginative storytelling.
Moreover, these reprints often bring fresh eyes to the series. New readers might be intrigued by the buzz surrounding the second print run and decide to pick up a copy. This helps foster even more excitement and discussion around the titles, making it a win for the entire comic community.
Supporting New Talent and Fresh Stories
One of the best things about investing in these second print runs is the chance to support up-and-coming talent. While titles from established authors are always popular, there’s a certain thrill in discovering work from creators who are just starting to make a name for themselves. For instance, Beneath the Trees and Devour are works from creators who may not yet have a huge following, but their stories are clearly resonating, and the second print run is proof.
Backing these lesser-known stories helps expand the industry by making room for new voices. With every purchase, readers show publishers that there’s a demand for innovative, boundary-pushing narratives, encouraging them to take more risks on fresh, unique ideas. This diversity is what keeps the comic world vibrant and evolving, providing readers with more than just traditional superhero tales.
Why Collectors Love Second Prints
For collectors, these second prints are a worthwhile investment. If a creator’s work gains traction over time, the second editions of their early comics could become valuable items. Supporting these titles in their early days is a bit like holding a piece of the creator’s journey, especially if they go on to develop a large following or work on major projects.
Second print runs also offer an opportunity to collect unique editions. Publishers often release these runs with slight alterations in the cover design or variant covers, making them different from the first prints. This small but noticeable change makes second print comics stand out in a collection, giving fans and collectors a version of the story that has its own exclusive appeal.