DARK HORSE COMICS FOR MARCH

Following are Dark Horse Comics' solicitations for March, with information coming from the company:

BABES, BEASTS, AND BRAWN: SCULPTURE OF THE FANTASTIC TPB

Written by Steve Kiwus.

Steve Kiwus of Eightball Studios, one of the most in-demand toy sculptors of the era, has now brought together his considerable body of eye-popping work into a collection like none other. Babes, Beasts, and Brawn: Sculpture of the Fantastic is a definitive look into the creation of these powerhouse playthings, with hundreds of stunning color photographs and fascinating insights into Kiwus' creative process. Beyond the building of plastic toys, Kiwus has created some of the most stunning and in-demand limited-edition cast sculptures of comics and fantasy figures of all stripes, including three-dimensional representations of the paintings of Frank Frazetta and miniature renditions of the Queen of Pin-Ups, Bettie Page. Also included is an in-depth how-to section, where Kiwus chronicles his process step-by-step to aid aspiring professionals.

160 pages, $19.95, in stores on April 21.

BERSERK VOLUME 3 TPB

Written and art by Kenturo Miura.

Guts, the feared Black Swordsman, finishes his desperate battle with the monstrous Count, but the Count¹s dying pleas activate the Behelit, summoning the five God Hands, demon lords of immeasurable power. Guts' journey so far has been a long road of pain and death, but it's a walk in the park compared to fighting his way out of Hell itself! Created by Kenturo Miura, Berserk is exactly what its title advertises; a savage, gruesome, and often humorous roller-coaster ride, inspiring the internationally popular anime series.

240 pages, black and white, $13.95, in stores on April 14.

B.P.R.D.: A PLAGUE OF FROGS #1

Written by Mike Mignola, art by Guy Davis.

A giant fungus escapes from its containment in a maximum-security laboratory, pitting the B.P.R.D. against the frog-men they faced 10 years ago in the original Hellboy series, Seed of Destruction. Following the success of last year's B.P.R.D. one-shots, Mike Mignola's Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense launch into the first of a series of miniseries. Drawn by Guy Davis, the artist of last year's B.P.R.D.: Dark Waters, and written by Mignola himself, A Plague of Frogs returns to the roots of the characters in this first in this five-issue series.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 3.

CASTLE WAITING VOLUME 1: THE LUCKY ROAD

Written and art by Linda Medley.

In preparation for the first issue of a new, ongoing Castle Waiting series, Dark Horse‹in conjunction with creator Linda Medley and Olio Press‹makes available The Lucky Road, a collection of Medley's award-winning original series. This trade presents her popular, creator-owned concoction: Potter-esque readability, rich characterization, and unexpected twists with a contemporary flavor and sense of humor. The Lucky Road launches into the first major Castle Waiting storyline by introducing readers to Lady Jain, an expectant heroine with a mysterious past, who seeks refuge at the fabled Castle Waiting. Medley's illustrations range from carefree to haunting, and her clever writing‹including a cameo by the Three Little Pigs‹will enchant readers of all ages.

184 pages, black and white, $17.95.

CONAN #2

Written by Kurt Busiek, art by Cary Nord, colored by Dave Stewart, cover by Joseph Michael Linsner.

Cry For Dawn creator Joseph Michael Linsner provides another stunning cover, as Busiek and Nord adapt their first original Robert E. Howard story, "The Frost Giant¹s Daughter." In the wake of a bloody massacre, Conan comes face to face with the ultimate vision of beauty, an irresistible spirit of the northern wastes. Seduced by the nude beauty, Conan then must confront her trollish brothers in this important moment in the life of the greatest fantasy character of all time.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 24.

CRIMINAL MACABRE: A CAL MCDONALD MYSTERY TPB

Written by Steve Niles, art by Ben Templesmith.

The creative team behind 30 Days of Night launch a new series of occult detective stories featuring the monstrously hard-boiled Cal McDonald. A pill-popping alcoholic reprobate, Cal is the only line of defense between Los Angeles and a growing horde of zombies, vampires, and werewolves. The best-selling comics series is collected in this massive graphic novel, including the hard-to-find short from last Halloween's Drawing on Your Nightmares special issue, and a new cover by Templesmith.

170 pages, $17.95, in stores on April 28.

EISNER/MILLER TPB

Written and art by Frank Miller and Will Eisner.

It would be hard to imagine any creators who have more greatly affected their chosen medium than Will Eisner and Frank Miller have influenced the world of comic books and graphic novels. Now, culture-curious readers and life-long fans of the comics medium are invited to read along as two of the medium's greatest contributors‹legendary innovator and godfather of sequential art, Will Eisner, and the modern master of cinematic comics storytelling, Frank Miller‹discuss one-on-one, in an intimate interview format, the ins-and-outs of this compelling and often controversial art form. Eisner/Miller is widely illustrated and features rare, behind-the-scenes photos of Eisner, Miller and other notable creators.

350 pages, $19.95, in stores on April 28.

FREAKS OF THE HEARTLAND #2

Written by Steve Niles, art by Greg Ruth.

Under the endless skies of America's heartland, and in the wounded hearts of every family in one tiny rural town, a terrible secret has been kept for too many years. Now, a young boy named Will must try to keep his younger brother from falling victim to the worst fears of a troubled town that can't begin to understand the tragic secret that binds its families together. Some folks would call Will's brother a monster. But to Will, his brother's just another kid trapped in a dark reality he can't comprehend. But before Will can save anyone, he has to save himself ... and it all starts with Will trying to get the gun away from his father.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 24.

FUSED: THINK LIKE A MACHINE #4

Written by Steve Niles, penciled by Josh Medors and inked by Peter Repovski.

Mark Haggerty has just about had enough, thank you very much. First his body is co-opted and consumed by a robotic exo-suit. Then a crack team of government mercenaries take every step imaginable to try to convince him (or trick him, depending on how you see things) into joining up with their squad. Topping all that off with the unleashing of a murderous, maniacal monkey-man who likes to throw his own doo-doo around...well, that's the final straw. Cy-bot's finally p.o.ed enough to start the buttkicking, but now that Cro-Mag has unveiled a robot pal twice the size of our robot hero, this just might be the end for Cy-Bot.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 31.

GO BOY 7 #8

Written by Brian Augustyn, penciled by Jon Sommariva, inked by Kris Justice, cover by Francisco Ruiz Velasco.

Don't miss out on the most shocking issue of Go Boy 7 to date. Incredible truths will be uncovered. Horrifying secrets will be revealed. Lives will be changed utterly. Everything will be revealed in this one thrill-packed issue including the origin of The Cultist, the true nature of BioAgent, as well as the fate of Jonny Zero. It all comes down to this.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 31.

GO BOY 7 VOLUME 1: READY SET GO TPB

Written by Tom Peyer, penciled by Jon Sommarvia, inked by Kris Justice, colored by Pierre-Andre Dery, cover by Francisco Ruiz Velasco.

A mysterious plane crash claims the life of Jonny Zero's parents and leaves him critically injured. Enter Professor Zero, Jonny's uncle, who uses his experimental robotic nonplasm to rebuild the boy. Jonny is transformed into Go Boy 7, the human action machine. This collection of the first four issues of the series feature flash-fire action and high sci-fi drama.

96 pages, $12.95, in stores on April 28.

HELL VOLUME 1: HELL AND GONE TPB

Written by Brian Augustyn, penciled by Todd Demong, inked by Tim Kane.

Corey Rollins' father disappeared ten years ago. The military claimed that Corey¹s father went AWOL, but his family has never believed the story. After being pursued by FBI agents and encountering a mysterious stranger who claims that his father is still alive, Corey sets out on an adventure that will take him to the island known only as Hell. With packs of monstrous human/animal hybrids, and nightmarish swarms of "Chimera," he may never be able to leave. Collecting the four-issue series.

96 pages, $12.95, in stores on April 21.

HELLBOY: THE CORPSE

By Mike Mignola.

"The Corpse," one of the most celebrated Hellboy stories, not to mention Mike Mignola's personal favorite, gets a dressing up with a new cover just in time for Hellboy's big screen debut. While in Ireland, Hellboy helps a family whose baby has been taken by faeries. The thieves demand Hellboy buries their dead friend, a drunken gambler, in hallowed ground. But in the world of Hellboy, nothing is ever as easy as it sounds. Complemented with behind-the-scenes art from a film sequence inspired by this story, Hellboy: The Corpse is the perfect intro to one of the most acclaimed comics series of all time. As such, this special issue is bargain-priced at 25¢.

40 pages, 25 cents, in stores on March 3.

MICHAEL CHABON PRESENTS . . . THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF THE ESCAPIST #2

By Kevin McCarthy, Scott Morse, Tony Tamai, Mike Baron and others, cover by Jae Lee.

Foes of freedom beware! The Escapist has returned! Join the Master of Elusion in adventure filled tales of hope and liberation in Michael Chabon Presents...The Amazing Adventures of The Escapist #2. You'll be on the edge of you seat as the Escapist ventures behind enemy lines in Nazi Germany to hunt down a German physicist on the verge of turning the tide of World War II! You'll gasp in fear as our hero battles a demonic horde in an Escapist tale from Japan!

80 pages, $5.95, in stores on March 3.

OH MY GODDESS! #106

By Kosuke Fujishima.

"Sora Unchained," part 2 of 8. The time will come when the meek shall inherit the race track. Shy, spectacled Sora's time has come. However, before Sora is set to race, she must master her fears. With Keiichi and Belldandy cheering her on, and with a little "goddess assistance," Sora's first foray into cart racing may not be the disaster everyone feared...but this month's serving of humor-filled friendship shows us just how far cute and clumsy Sora has to go.

32 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on March 3.

STAR WARS: EMPIRE #19

Written by Ron Marz, art by Brian Ching, cover by Doug Wheatley.

"To The Last Man," part 3 of 3. Having failed to locate the Rebels' new base after the destruction of the Death Star, Vader sets out to redeem himself by strong-arming his underworld contacts for information about the Alliance. But other deeds from Vader's past return to haunt him as a group of aliens attempt to kill the Sith Lord as revenge for a slaughter he perpetrated on their homeworld. Fighting vengeful aliens is all in a day's work. The real challenge for Vader is coming to terms with the man he once was, and the "monster" he has become...

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 3.

STAR WARS: EMPIRE VOLUME 2‹DARKLIGHTER TPB

Written by Paul Chadwick, art by Doug Wheatley and Tomas Giorello.

Before Luke Skywalker, the Rebel Alliance had another hero: Biggs Darklighter. For the first time, the full story of Luke's boyhood friend is revealed; from his departure from Tatooine to attend the Imperial Academy, to his decision to lead a mutiny against the Empire and join the Rebellion, to the fateful attack on the Death Star. Writer Paul Chadwick has resurrected scenes that were shot for Star Wars: A New Hope, but which ended up on the cutting room floor, and extrapolated from them the life and times of Luke Skywalker's best friend; and artist Doug Wheatley has produced stunning artwork for one of the most acclaimed Star Wars comics stories ever. An essential companion to A New Hope, and an exciting addition to any Star Wars library, Also included: "The Short, Happy Life of Roons Sewell," by Chadwick and artist Tomas Giorello. A revealing look at one of the early leaders of the Rebel Alliance; a man haunted by a dark past and driven to a heroic, but self-destructive fate.

144 pages, $17.95, in stores on April 28.

STAR WARS: REPUBLIC #63

Written by John Ostrander, penciled by Jan Duursema, inked by Dan Parsons, cover by Brian Ching.

Jedi Quinlan Vos has taken a fateful step that may plunge him so far into darkness that he can never recover. His undercover mission for the Jedi Council has secured him a spot within Count Dooku¹s inner circle, but when Dooku reveals to Vos that there is a Sith Lord within the Senate, Vos forgets his mission and agrees to kill the man! A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and the secrets dooku has revealed to Vos may be enough to destroy a Jedi.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 17.

STAR WARS TALES #19

By Andrew Robinson, Scott Kurtz, Jim Royal, Sean Murphy, Jim Pascoe, Haden Blackman, Lucas Marangon and others, cover by Robinson.

A hyperdrive malfunction sends the Mellinnium Falcon massively off course trapping Han Solo galaxies away from his home system. Now stranded lightyears from everything he knows, Han must fight the life threatening hazards of the jungle filled world that has become his prison. Will he be able to fix the Falcon and return to all he knows and loves? Also in this issue, Scott Kurtz's tale of high-school angst‹Star Wars style.

64 pages, $5.99, in stores on March 31.

STEVE RUDE¹S THE MOTH DOUBLE SIZED SPECIAL

By Steve Rude and Gary Martin.

Ten-time comic industry award winner Steve Rude and writer/inker Gary Martin deliver an action-packed adventure that reminds us of what comics are all about. In The Moth, Dark Horse has allowed Steve Rude unrestricted creative freedom. And Rude has responded with some of the best work of his career. In this issue The Moth, who is living with a touring circus troop, finds himself in a battle for his very life, against a savage creature known as the Lionman of Botswana. If your looking for outlaw bikers, circus clowns, African witch doctors, blood-thirsty monsters, and bearded ladies, then this story is for you.

56 pages, $4.95, in stores on March 17.

SUPER MANGA BLAST! #41

By Masamune Shirow, Kenichi Sonoda, Mohiro Kitoh, Makoto Kobayashi, Yuzo Takada, Hiroyuki Utatane and Yo Morimoto.

Cannon God Exaxxion joins the line-up of America's premier manga anthology. If Hoiichi "Gun" Kano had his way, he'd be getting in fights at school and chasing pretty girls, but an alien race has thrown down the gauntlet of world domination, and he just can't avoid being involved with humankind's only hope: the huge, mysterious Exaxxion robot. Makoto Kobayashi's hilarious What's Michael? returns, where we find the antics of the world's most conniving cat; the charming Club 9 in which a pretty, young college student finds work in one of the city's ritziest hostess bars. Science fiction drama collides with full-tilt action in Seraphic Feather; and in Shadow Star, Shiina continues to cope with incredible new friends, family drama, and a growing, malicious group of dragon bearers bent on world choas!

128 pages, black and white, $5.99.

TALES OF THE VAMPIRES #4

Written by Joss Whedon, art by Alex Sanchez, cover by Ben Edlund.

In Joss Whedon's continuing serial, a group of precocious young Watchers is schooled on the mysteries and treacheries of vampires. Ben Edlund, creator of The Tick and current staff writer on Whedon's Angel show, returns to comics with a cover and a story this issue, once again pointing to Whedon's world as the ultimate melting pot of TV and comic books.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 10.

TIM BISKUP¹S 100 PAINTINGS BOOK HC

By Tim Biskup.

Reproducing Tim Biskup's "100 Paintings" series in a compact, hardcover book, this 5" x 5" volume of one hundred crisp, colorful paintings. The hardcover volume presents Biskup's work in its actual size, with an introduction by critically acclaimed illustrator and Emmy winner, Gary Baseman. Inspired by his Italian sketchbook, Biskup tied his illustrations together with numbers and set a goal of completing one hundred detailed paintings. The ensuing book, "100 Paintings," was immediately popular among fans appreciating its compact size.

112 pages, $14.95, in stores on May 12.

ULTRAMAN TIGA #8

Written by Tony Wong, art by Khoo Fuk Lung, cover by UDON.

As the former members of the recently disbanded Global Unlimited Task Squad are kept under lockdown, a malevolent alien presence is controlling Japan's military and activating its weapons of mass destruction. The situation is pushing toward a full-scale missile crisis, and Ultraman Tiga's human alter ego can only sit back in his holding cell and wait, afraid to reveal his secret identity to his fellow GUTS members. By the time Daigo makes his move, it may already be too late to save the planet from all-out war. Continuing the knock-down, drag-out series from Hong Kong.

40 pages, $3.99, in stores on March 31.

USAGI YOJIMBO #74

By Stan Sakai.

Stan Sakai's internationally acclaimed samurai adventure continues. Wandering ronin Usagi and his young companion Jotaro meet up with Katsuichi-sensei sooner than expected, and all continue on to Kitanoji Temple to retrieve the late samurai Koji's swords. En route they encounter a town where the crowds are being entertained by a troupe of performers. But all is not what it seems, and the sinister side of this troupe's unique abilities is shortly revealed in this first issue of the two-part "Hokashi."

24 pages, black and white, $2.99.

WHAT'S MICHAEL?: THE IDEAL CAT TPB

By Makoto Kobayashi.

Described as "Japan's version of Garfield, Heathcliff, and Krazy Kat all rolled into one," Makoto Kobayashi's What's Michael? is one of graphic fiction's true comedic originals. It combines day-to-day cat scenarios every cat lover (and hater!) will recognize, with off-the-wall flights of fantasy that will have readers scratching their heads, while holding their sides from laughter.

88 pages, black and white, $8.95, in stores on April 14.