CROSSGEN COMICS FOR MARCH

Following are CrossGen Comics' solicitations for March, with information coming from the company.

DEMONWARS: TRIAL BY FIRE #4

Story by R.A. Salvatore and Scott Ciencin, scripted by Ciencin, art by Ron Wagner, colors by Caesar Rodriguez.

Captured by a vengeance-driven pack of frost giants, a small group of humans await their fate in the sprawling magical ice fortress of the demon-wolf Managarm. It seems their only chance for survival is banding together, but they are tasked by betrayal, murder and shocking revelations. Will the frost giants sacrifice an innocent and give Managarm power to level the world of humankind? Or will salvation come in an unlikely, small, but savage and unpredictable package: Grave Mungo, the redcap dwarf army of one.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 5.

LADY DEATH #2

Written by Brian Pulido, art by Ivan Reis and Mark Campos, colors by Chris Blythe.

The medieval world is threatened by a near-immortal race called the Eldrich. Humanity's last hope for survival is Lady Death, an outcast who is half-human, half-Eldrich, and all attitude. Blood of both clans, she belongs to neither. Bearing a sword of vengeance, Lady Death roams Medieval Europe in search of her place in the world. After her brutal murder last issue, Hope resurrects, transformed into a unique, beautiful woman who is neither wholly human, nor wholly Eldritch. Swearing vengeance on the villagers who murdered her and her mother, she returns to slaughter them. But the battle goes awry and the enigmatic Wolf, a Warrior Knight, saves Hope. If Hope is to survive, she must be trained. Wolf offers to train her, but what is the price?

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 12.

CROSSOVERS #3

Written by Rob Rodi, art by Mauricet and Ernie Colon, colors by Marc McNabb.

In Part 3 of the 6-part "Cross Currents," Archetype's most lethal super-foe goes after Calista ... Calista's vampire villain goes after Cliff ... and Cliff's alien colleagues enter Eradika's sphere. The walls dividing the family's lives (and genres) have crumbled, and the result is a increasingly wild genre smack-up.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 19.

BRATH #2

Written by Chuck Dixon, art by Andrea Di Vito and Brad Vancata, colors by Rob Schwager.

An epic tale of worlds in collision and an empire in decline. Brath Mac Garen is the warchief of a clan that rules the last free land in the known world. They are pitted against the numberless legions of an evil emperor who will stop at nothing to enslave them. Brath must battle one of his own to maintain leadership of Clan Mac Garen. But, win or lose, its still an uphill climb keeping the savage hordes of the Urelanders under his rule. Also, Der and Buckie discover that the Outlander legions are importing fearsome creatures to aid them in crushing the clans.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 26.

CHIMERA #2

Story by Ron Marz and Brandon Peterson, scripted by Marz, art by Brandon Peterson.

On a distant ice world, a young woman with a special gift hides from her past. But the rulers of the Chimeran Imperium, a brutal intergalactic empire, will stop at nothing to find her. This sci-fi miniseries features digitally painted artwork by Brandon Peterson. Sara finds an ancient alien starship buried in the ice of her mining planet, but that's the least of her problems. Possessing a missing genetic link, Sara is on the run from the Chimeran Imperium, which has sent a fleet of warships and an army of heavy troopers to capture her.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 12.

CRUX #24

Written by Chuck Dixon, art by Steve Epting and Roland Paris, colors by Frank D'Armata.

The human race has vanished without a trace. Five mighty Atlanteans awaken from the sleep of ages to solve the disappearance of an entire species. But to answer this riddle, their leader Capricia must confront an invading universe of evil and discover the shocking fate that destiny has in store for her. Terra Cognito wants Earth back and only the Atlanteans stand in the way. Also, the greatest Negation invasion force ever assembled marches for Atlantis. But Aristophanes and his villainous new allies have banished Tug, Zephyre and the others from their home. Does Danik hold the key to saving them from destruction?

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 19.

THE FIRST #29

Written by Barbara Kesel, art by Andy Smith and Rob Hunter, colors by Sumi Pak.

Driven apart by immortal intrigue and titanic treachery, the rival houses of the godlike First must reunite to avert doomsday. Heirs to world-shaking power, Persha and Seahn each seek to lead the pantheon toward a glorious destiny. But will it by Persha's Golden Age… or Seahn's Epoch of Evil? Seahn killed his father, but Braag has returned to taunt the new Leader of House Sinister. How many deaths will it take until Seahn can rest easy in his new home?

32 pages full color, $2.95, on sale March 5.

MERIDIAN TRAVELLER VOL. 1

Written by Barbara Kesel, art by Joshua Middleton, Steve McNiven and Dexter Vines, colors by Michael Atiyeh.

Introducing CrossGen Travellers - graphic novels with a great new price and a great new size. Meridian Traveller Vol. 1 is the first book in this exciting format, re-presenting the first seven chapters of Meridian, CrossGen's all-ages fantasy epic. At just $9.95 for 192 pages of full color comics in a rugged paperback format, there's never been a better way to pick up this critically acclaimed series. Branded by marks of terrifying power and supernatural origin, Sephie and her wicked uncle Ilahn will either bring renewal or destruction to the poisoned world of Demetria. Young Sephie must now grow into the role of global savior, but will defeating her uncle cost Sephie her innocence?

192 pages full color, $9.95. 5.4 inches by 8.2 inches, $9.95, in stores on March 19.

MYSTIC #34

Written by Tony Bedard, art by Aaron Lopresti and Matt Ryan, colors by Wil Quintana.

On a world where society is based upon magic instead of technology, ultimate power rests in the hands of the last person who wants it. Party-girl Giselle Villard couldn't care less about magic until a mysterious symbol on her palm made her the mystic protector of planet Ciress. Now she must mature into her new role before a legion of newfound enemies can destroy her. Giselle has returned home to the magical world of Ciress, only to find a global crisis brewing. The unseen enemy that banished her to a prehistoric realm is now turning one magical Guild against another. To expose her new nemesis, Giselle must travel to the land of the Enchantress Guild, but an ancient adversary of the women-wizards may permanently prevent Giselle from unmasking the mysterious manipulator.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 5.

MERIDIAN #34

Written by Barbara Kesel, art by Steve McNiven and Tom Simmons, colors by Morry Hollowell.

A Key Issue. Sephie of Meridian is a teenaged girl from a fantasy world beset by real-world problems. Receiving the Sigil propelled her into a dizzying whirl of grown-up decisions and responsibilities. Join Sephie of Meridian as she sets her crew on a course that will lead to the most difficult choice of her young life.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 26.

NEGATION #16

Written by Tony Bedard, art by Paul Pelletier and Dave Meikis, colors by James Rochelle.

Trapped in a twisted universe ruled by the Negation Empire, an ordinary man named Obregon Kaine pits his extraordinary cunning and courage against the greatest foe imaginable. Escaping the prison planet was just the beginning - can Kaine's fugitives win a war for freedom when every star in the sky belongs to the god-king Charon? Sworn enemies, Kaine and Komptin have only once chance for survival: each other! Stranded on the Negation's most feared planet, they must combine their talents if they are ever to escape that world's deadly denizens - but the price of escape will demand a sacrifice that neither is willing to make.

32 pages full color, $2.95, in stores on March 12.

THE PATH #13

Written by Ron Marz, art by Mathew Smith and Mark Pennington, colors by Michael Atiyeh.

As Obo-san prepares to take a fateful step from which there can be no turning back, the evil emperor of Shinacea again mounts an effort to obtain the all-powerful Weapon of Heaven. And this time his tool will be Obo-san's deceased brother, Todosi. New penciler Matthew Smith debuts.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 26.

MARK OF CHARON #1

Written by Tony Bedard, art by Joe Bennet and Johnathan Glapion, colors by Dave Stewart.

Charon, God-Emperor of the Negation Empire, is the ultimate villain. He commands a universe of evil that poses a grave threat to every living soul in the CrossGen Universe. And when he decides to create his own version of the Sigil - the mysterious red and yellow mark that empowers many of CrossGen's greatest heroes - Charon sets into motion an epic adventure that will expose the secret origins of the Negation, and decide the future of the CrossGen Universe! Do not miss this landmark mini-series, featuring a surprise hero, a new team of evil Sigil-Bearers, and revelations that readers will be talking about for years to come.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 26.

ROUTE 666 #10

Written by Tony Bedard, art by Karl Moline and John Dell, colors by Nick Bell.

Is Cassie Starkweather a crazed killer or a psychic savior? Wanted for murder, Cassie is an escaped mental patient who claims to have uncovered a vast supernatural invasion. As she fights a lonely war to keep the monsters and evil spirits from stealing innocent souls, one question haunts her: Are the creatures she fights real… or are they her own inner demons? Cassie's big-top adventure concludes as she and Cisco are caught between the supernatural shapeshifters from Perdition and the world's most frightening freak-show. Plus: while Cassie walks a hair-raising high wire of horror, we catch our first glimpse of her ultimate foe…the Dark Lord of Perdition…the Adversary.

32 pages, $2.95 in stores on March 19.

RUSE #18

Written by Scott Beatty, art by Butch Guice and Mike Perkins, colors by Laura Martin.

At long last, Miranda Cross returns! Marooned on a less-than-deserted island, Emma Bishop finds herself caught between hungry gargoyles above and a secret empire below. Meanwhile, Simon Archard allies with roguish adventurer Theophilus Dare to attempt a rescue before Miranda vents her volcanic fury upon a captive Emma.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 19.

SCION #34

Written by Ron Marz, art by Jim Fern and Jay Leisten, colors by Laura Villari.

Unaware Bron is alive, Ethan rushes back to Sanctuary Isle carrying word of the impending invasion by Tigris. However, news of an even more shocking nature awaits him as the results of the peace conference between Dane and Bron send ripples through both the Heron and Raven royal families.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 19.

SCION VOL. 4: SANCTUARY

Written by Ron Marz, art by Jim Cheung and Don Hillsman II, colors by Justin Ponsor and Jason Keith.

In the fourth volume of the Scion saga, the Heron and Raven Kingdoms gather their forces for a climactic battle, with Ethan caught right smack in the middle! Will even Ethan's power be enough to end this age-old conflict, or will he and Ashleigh be denied their sanctuary in this war-wracked world?

160 pages full color, 6.6 inches by 10.2 inches, $15.95, on sale March 9.

SOLUS #1

Written by Barbara Kesel, art by George Perez and Rick Magyar, colors by Larry Molinar.

Audra Radiant is putting the pieces of her life back together. The problem is that they're all scattered on different worlds. Watch as Audra goes from pulp hero to barbarian warrior, changing identities as she tours the worlds of the CrossGen Universe in search of herself. The answers she finds will change her life - and change the universe forever.

48 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 26.

SIGIL #34

Written by Chuck Dixon, art by Fabrizio Fiorentino and Don Hillsman II, colors by Andrew Crossley.

Humanity's last hope for survival is a grizzeled space soldier with a second chance at glory. After centuries of interstellar warfare, the humans of the Planetary Union have a new cause for hope. Samandahl Rey, galactic mercenary, who wields the world-changing power of the glowing Sigil burned into his chest. The Sultan Ronolo and the Saurian war-criminal Hrad flee into deepest space. But even here, where the stars grow thin and space is dark, they aren't safe from the vengeance of Samandhal Rey. They're also not safe from each other as it's every man (or lizard) for himself.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 12.

SOJOURN #21

Written by Ron Marz, art by Luke Ross and Drew Geraci, colors by Dave Stewart.

Arwyn reaches a city on the edge of the great desert of Oudubai, where she makes preparations to venture into the sandy wastes in search of the Third Fragment. But her plans are changed when she encounters not only someone from her past, but a thief who might well know the Fragment's location.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 12.

WAY OF THE RAT #11

Written by Chuck Dixon, art by Jeff Johnson and Tom Ryder, colors by Chris Garcia.

The Emperor Dragon is bringing the city of Zhumar crashing down in a blazing inferno. The army has fled. The people cower in terror. Who will stand with Boon, Princess Zheng and the Silken Ghost against this greatest of threats? Only Po Po holds the key to victory. And NOT the Po Po you think.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on March 5.