We’ve a decidedly spooky collection of must-read digital comics this Halloween weekend with the new issue of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman: Overture, Stephan Franck’s vampire/heist adventure Silver and all-ages fun with Plants vs. Zombies Lawnmageddon.

Sandman Overture #1 (DC Comics/Vertigo)
As you’ll have seen in this week’s preview, Sandman writer Neil Gaiman returns to The Endless after a 10 year break to bring us this epic prologue. The Sandman is one of the most influential and adored books of the last 25 years and so inevitably the expectations are ridiculsously high but Gaiman rarely disappoints and with Overture he continues that run. With art from regular Sandman contributor J.H. Williams III, Overture reveals the story of how Dream of the Endless ended up being held captive at the beginning of Preludes and Nocturnes as well as giving us an insight into the birth of the universe and the Endless themselves!  Stretching out over 6 issues we may only be able to truly judge this series once all have been published, but on first reading this is a stunning return to the  world of the Sandman with all the characters you would hope to see. But with time has also comes much better quality colouring and digital reproduction making this one of the best looking Sandman’s ever!
Sandman: Overture #1 is available from ComiXology for £3.99/$4.99

Silver #2 (Dark Planet Comics)
By day Stephan Franck is the director of animated childrens films like Smurfs – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but at night he revels in a dark side which he turns into the moody monochrome world of his Silver the vampire/heist comics he publishes through Dark Planet Comics. As we revealed this week, Silver #2 is now available on ComiXology and issue #2 continues the adventures of conman and thief James Finnegan as he looks for answers about the shiny trinket which he stole from the basements of the Harker foundation in issue #1. Seeking out Rosalynd ‘Sledge’ Van Helsing to help find answers to the mysterious objects he has acquired and persuade her to continue her grandfather’s work tackling the forces of the undead who are are after him. With subtle (and not so subtle) references to the classic Dracula mythos, but with a smart 1930s pulp attitude and setting, plus plenty of action and adventure, Silver is a really original take on what is a very over-saturated genre.
Silver #1 and #2 are available from ComiXology for £1.49/$1.99

Plants vs. Zombies Lawnmageddon #1-6 (Dark Horse Comics)
If you’re after a book with a slightly lighter tone this Halloween then be sure to check out Plants vs. Zombies Lawnmageddon. Based on the hit iPad and iPhone game, Dark Horse’s adaptation sees plucky youngsters Patrice and Nate take on the hordes of undead who are determined to ruin the tranquility of the quiet town on Neighborville. With the help of Patrice’s uncle ‘Crazy’ Dave, Lawnmageddon features all your favourite plants and zombies on show, with writer Paul Tobin and artist Ron Chan getting their teeth into this unique world, capturing the quirky nature of the game but expanding the story with enough plot and character to make sure that it is a comic worth reading. Zipping through the adventure at break-neck speed with a generous amount of action and humour, this is an fantastic read for PvsZ fans of all ages.
All 6 issues can be purchase individually via the Plants vs. Zombies comics app for £0.69/$0.99 each and will soon be collected into a hardcover collection available from Amazon.