SPOOKTACULER HALLOWEEN COMIC BOOKS

The Halloween season is here and with it comes some terror-ific comic books. I'm always geeked to get into the Halloween spirit with some holiday themed good reads. Here are some spooktaculer stories that will be on comic book shop shelves this October:

STAR TREK: HOLO-WEEN

After enduring an anxiety-ridden passage through a solar storm, Captain Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise take to celebrating Halloween to reset the mood. But while the Earth holiday involves sweet treats and other festivities, they soon learn that fear is in season when crew members begin to go missing one by one. Each week in October leading up to Halloween, a new issue of this limited series by acclaimed writer Chris Sequeira and Eisner-nominated artist Joe Eisma will be rocketing into comic shops. 

DC'S GHOULS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN

An assembly of spine-tingling stories for Halloween. Superman imprisoned by an unfriendly ghost! Man-Bat versus a werewolf! Mary Marvel and Dr. Psycho crashing a Halloween frat party! Plus: the Question faces horrific crimes of fashion; Robotman wrestles a ghostly glitch; Crush helps Lobo find the perfect costume; and Nightwing and Red Hood spend a frightful night in Blüdhaven, co-written by Christopher Sean, the voice of Nightwing from the Gotham Knights video game! The chills will last longer than your candy corn!

ARCHIE HALLOWEEN SPECTACULAR 

Trick and Treat return on Halloween night to harass Archie and Jughead with assorted monsters until Sabrina takes charge. All that plus more scary-fun stories!

CAPWOLF & THE HOWLING COMMANDOS

When Captain America is transformed into a werewolf on the front lines of World War II, he’ll need the help of the Howling Commandos to take down a band of Nazi cultists who intend to use supernatural forces to turn the tide of battle. But can Cap control the skeptical, jaded Commandos when he can barely control himself?

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

As Halloween approaches, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles must face their fears when a powerful and mysterious being challenges them to prove their mettle in a nightmarish test of bravery. Meanwhile, Shredder has an otherworldly encounter of his own when he summons an ancient spirit to gain a greater understanding of the powerful weapon he seeks to reforge... only to discover that some forces are beyond even his control. Don't miss this double-sized, spooky special of Saturday Morning Adventures!

OPERATION SUNSHINE

From the New York Times-bestselling hosts of the hit The Last Podcast on the Left and Black Hammer's David Rubin comes this all-new humorous, horror, and action-packed comic book series that's Near Dark meets Ocean's Eleven. A group of young, alienated vampires known as "bugs" plot to steal a magical object from ancient monstrous vampires to turn themselves back to human. Along the way they uncover a sprawling monster underground, a top-secret plot run by the elder creatures, elite militant vampire slayers, and madness beyond imagining blocking their path to humanity.

BORIS KARLOFF'S GOLD KEY MYSTERIES 

Witness the dawn of new era in horror! When a gothic mansion infested with arcane power appears from the mist, Boris Karloff is the world's last hope against dark forces led by a malevolent government agent bent on harnessing the house's power. Boris Karloff is back with a new ongoing horror anthology.

CRYPT OF SHADOWS

Once more, as All Hallows’ Eve draws nigh, the dust-covered slab that seals shut the crypt, blocking out the sun and casting it forever in shadow, has creaked open to let the darkness loose to prey on the Marvel Universe! Be they mercenary or mage, guided by law or by rage, our heroes will face their terror, and they’d best pray their spines are sturdy enough for the job…or the crypt they find may well be their own!

SPINE-TINGLING SPIDER-MAN

After a fight with Spider-Cide, Spider-Man gets taken on the most frightening ride of his life as he finds himself in the most terrifying haunted house possible. Who took Peter’s powers? Who took Peter’s friends and family? Who stands the best chance at taking Spider-Man down permanently?!

HEADLESS HORSEMAN HALLOWEEN ANNUAL

Boils, ghouls, vampires, monsters, and creatures of all kinds, welcome. Take a seat, go on, fill the aisles, relax your fangs, and sit with us for a while. Join us in a macabre and magical journey through all the haunts and spooks that keep you up at night for here we revel in the darkness and present to you a chilling, nay petrifying experience as the Headless Horseman presents a collection of five terrifying tales to warm up your cold soul.

GARGOYLES HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

It's young Gnash's first Halloween in Manhattan, and you're invited to come along as he heads out to find friends on the one night of the year when Gargoyles can roam the city unbothered! Unfortunately, he's about to run afoul of the masked Quarrymen, who are out to hunt down any Gargoyle foolish enough to brave the streets on All Hallow's Eve. That means Brooklyn, Katana, Lexington, Broadway, Angela, and even Goliath are in real danger! Will they survive this cruel trick, or become a treat for the marauding Quarrymen? Find out in this all-new 40-page special featuring a 28-page main story written by Gargoyles creator GREG WEISMAN!

FEAR THE FUNHOUSE PRESENTS ... TOYBOX OF TERROR

In Riverdale, even the toys are terrifying in this anthology one-shot set in the universe of last year's successful Fear the Funhouse comic. Three tales of dolls, robots, and puppets gone awry all thanks to the work of a shadowy toymaker and a young girl intent on revenge, in the vein of the widely successful M3GAN movie and Child's Play franchise.

JUSTICE LEAGUE V GODZILLA V KONG

The cataclysmic crossover event of the year is here as the DC Universe clashes with Legendary’s Monsterverse in Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong. Clark Kent is enjoying a night off with a very important dinner planned with his girlfriend, Lois Lane, when the entire city shudders under the weight of the monstrous Godzilla, who emerges from the bay! What started as a routine clash between the Justice League and the Legion of Doom takes a dangerous turn when the wall between worlds is breached…with Godzilla, Kong, and the Monsterverse emerging on DC’s Earth!

MARVEL ZOMBIES: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD

The undead plague starts here…and you know it won’t stop until everyone’s in its clutches! This first of four action-packed, utterly original, gloriously gory anthology issues features Daredevil, Spider-Man, Moon Knight and many, many more Marvel heroes and villains beset by ever-growing zombie hordes! In a brutal, bloodstained world, can hope survive? Or will creeping, gnawing, shambling horror win out at last…?

UNIVERSAL MONSTERS DRACULA

THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH creators JAMES TYNION IV and MARTIN SIMMONDS reteam for an extra-length miniseries about the monster who started it all! When Dr. John Seward admits a strange new patient into his asylum, the madman tells stories of a demon who has taken residence next door. But as Dr. Seward attempts to apply logic to the impossible…his surrogate daughter Lucy begins to fall under the spell of the twisted Count Dracula!

Halloween Fun Runs

Fall is one of my favorite times to get outside and participate in running events because of its moderate temperatures, the brilliant coloring of the trees that decorates the Michigan landscape during this time of year, and there are always fun and interesting themed races going on -- especially revolving around Halloween.  There are races where participants are chased by zombies, fun runs where everyone is encouraged to wear a costume, events that have runners trick or treating along the route and others that are like taking a jog through an outdoor haunted house.  There is plenty of spooky fun to be had if you are up to running a 5K right before Halloween.

2016 MICHIGAN HALLOWEEN THEMED FUN RUNS:

Midland Zombies 5K Trail Run -- Saturday, October 15

Run through a 3 mile route through the trails of Midland's City Forest park trying to avoid a hoard of local middle school and high school kids who have been transformed for the day into flesh eating, human loving zombies.  Dodge the zombie-infected teenagers without them capturing the flags attached to your waist to win the race.

Headless Horseman 5K & Monster Mile -- Saturday October 22

Round up your family and friends to run this nighttime race through the sleepy streets of downtown Howell and into the shadows of Lakeview Cemetery dressed in costume as your favorite Halloween character.  Just one of the Halloween themed activities going on in the city that weekend as part of its The Legend of Sleepy Howell festival.

Waterford Coalition for Youth Zombie Run -- Saturday, October 22

Run through the scenic trails of Hess Hathaway Park and beware the zombies! They don't chase you in this fun run but they may scare you.  Runners are actually encouraged to dress up as zombies themselves and their are some awards for best costumes.  There may be a lot of zombies at this event but they won't interfere with you while running the race course.

Shepard Haunted Trail 5K -- Saturday, October 22

Run a haunted 5k trail after dark through the Shepard High School Cross Country Course which will be full of Halloween fun!  The woods will be filled with ghosts, goblins, zombies and other spooky things positioned throughout the course who will try to scare you out of your running shoes.  All entrants will receive a headlamp to wear as part of their registration to help them safely navigate the fun run route.

Troy Frightful 5K and 1K Pumpkin Family Fun Run -- Sunday October 23

All entrants are encourage to wear a costume.  All Pumpkin Run participants receive a pumpkin at the finish line.

Halloween Hustle -- Sunday, October 23

Support United Way with your entry fee for this race through the historic neighborhoods of Marshall, Michigan.  Costumes are optional but encouraged.

Costumed 5K Run and Monster Mile Fun Walk -- Sunday, October 23

Burn off some calories before you eat all of that Halloween candy and get extra use out of your awesome costumes with your family, friends, and neighbors. This event will make you laugh, smile and sweat all the way to the finish line at the Clinton Township Civic Center Trails and grounds.

Waterford Halloween Spooktacular -- Sunday, October 23

3 spooky themed events in one event - 1 Mile Fun Run; Wicked Witches 5K; Ghost & Goblins 5K, Run all three or just pick one or two of them to participate in.  Participants receive unique swag for each race they run at Waterford Oaks County Park.

Brown City Days Zombie 5K Run & Halloween Fest -- Saturday, October 29

Jack-O'-Lantern 5K & Kids' Pumpkin Patch Trick-or-Treat Fun Run - Saturday, October 29

This event's 10K provides a super natural challenge as participants run through wooded trails filled with obstructions and challenging terrain.  Race across floating and stationary superdecks, fields and a small stretch of road.  Be prepared to hurdle downed trees, wade through tall grass, and sludge through some mud.  The 5K is a slightly less strenuous course that pits runners against one another on a narrow trail.  For the kids are two options -- a 1/2 mile fun run or a two loop 1 Mile race.

Spooky Scarecrow 5K Run / Walk -- Saturday, October 29

Run through the beautiful backwoods of historic Almont Townships Orchards in a fun Halloween themed race.  Prizes for both Best Times and Best Costumes for event participants with cider and doughnuts provided at the finish line.

Trick-or-Trot 5K Run / Walk -- Saturday, October 29

Support the Meridian High School Band Department in this fun run/walk with prizes for best costumes, medals for top finishers, and t-shirts guaranteed for all participants registered by October 21, 2016 that takes place in Sanford, Michigan.

The Scare for CARE Halloween 5K  -- Sunday, October 30

A spooky fun run and walk taking place in Ann Arbor to help tackle a scary problem troubling many families --  substance abuse. Proceeds support CARE of Southeastern Michigan which has served as the area’s lead referral source for substance abuse treatment since 1977.  There are three options to choose from: Thrilling 5k, Mummy Mile, or Kids Monster Mash Dash.

The Scare for CARE 5K starts just before sunset, that spine-tingling interval between daylight and dark. Dress up as one of the ethereal spirits known to roam the earth at this hour or wear your favorite costume. Then run, walk, or creepily crawl our dusk-lit 3.1 miles, but beware: you never know what frightful sights conceal themselves along the course, just waiting to provide even more hair-raising fun to your race!

For those guys and ghouls who prefer a less eerie distance, we offer up the Mummy Mile. Ideal for those seeking a spirited sprint, the Mummy Mile is also perfect for walkers, for families and fiends, and especially for younger participants, who can trick-or-treat along the way at our Candy Aid Stations, manned our friendly, non-frightening cast of characters.

Our littlest wizards and witches can enjoy a fun run all their own: the Monster Mash Dash! Open to competitors ages 8 and under, the Monster Mash Dash features a kid-friendly 100-meter sprint leading to the very same finish line that Mummy and Daddy will cross.

Wicked Halloween Run -- Sunday, October 30

Earn a fantastic glow-in-the-dark finisher medal by participating in the largest Halloween Run in the state. It promises to be a wicked good time! Costumes are encouraged and there is a contest that rewards the most ghoulishly dressed. A great event that starts and finishes from Plymouth's Kellogg Park that includes 10K, 5K and 1 Mile options to participate in.

Fun Runs / Walks are a great opportunity to get outside for some exercise, experience an out of the ordinary activity, and often times support the fundraising efforts of a charitable or community group.  Is there a Halloween running event near you that is fun to participate in?  If you don't know there are a multitude of online running directories that provide a calendar of events taking place either regionally, state-wide, or locally.  Lace up your sneakers and get out there if you can! Just don't let the zombies bite!