DARK HORSE COMICS FOR JUNE

Following are Dark Horse Comics' solicitations for June, with information coming from the company.

BERSERK VOLUME 4 TPB

By Kentaro Miura.

Now that the evil Count has been killed and dragged to Hell by the demon lords of the Godhand, Guts, the Black Swordsman, hooks up with his former benefactor, the mercenary Gambino. But it's a deadly reunion, one that nearly takes Guts' life. The following years see Guts wandering from battlefield to battlefield, where his awesome skills as a slayer catch the eye of both warring parties, including the legendary Griffith, warrior leader of the Band of the Hawk, who is eager to test his combat skills against those of the Black Swordsman. Co-published with Digital Manga.

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

BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #90

By Hiroaki Samura.

"Last Blood," part 1 of 5. Sporting one of the most heart-wrenching covers Blade fans will ever see, this issue delivers both the emotional impact of Manji and Rin's much-anticipated reunion and the harrowing beginning of another Samura-style sword fight. The surviving members of the Shingyoto-ryu clan have also caught up with Rin and her strange companion, Anotsu. Will Rin finally turn against Anotsu, giving him up to Iriya? The only certainty is that, if he has to, Manji will cut his way through these revenge-hungry swordsmen to get to his dear "little sister!"

32 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on June 9.

B.P.R.D.: A PLAGUE OF FROGS #4

Written by Mike Mignola, art by Guy Davis.

Liz Sherman is set upon by a cemetery full of fungus-driven zombies, and Abe Sapien uncovers the connection between this new generation of monsters and the B.P.R.D.'s old enemy Rasputin. But as the frogmen begin their rituals to raise the old gods, one of the disciples makes good on the threat Rasputin leveled against Abe years ago in Hellboy: Wake the Devil.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 2.

CONAN #5

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

Conan¹s first Hyperborean adventure reveals the secrets of immortality, and the peaceful northern paradise is shown for the nightmare it really is. Conan breaks from those who¹ve enslaved him, but is unable to save the lives of the prisoners he leads, or the woman he¹s fallen in love with. Robert E. Howard hinted at the terrors that his character Conan suffered in Hyperborea, but Busiek and company reveal the adventure here for the first time in livid detail.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 23.

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT HC

Written by Neil Gaiman, art by Michael Zulli.

From the New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman comes a brand new hardcover collection, featuring two magical and disturbing stories lushly adapted to comics by veteran painter Michael Zulli. Newly rewritten by Gaiman for this graphic novel, these two ominous stories from the author¹s award-winning prose, Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions, feature animals and people not being quite what they seem. In "The Price," a black cat like a small panther arrives at a country home and is soon beset by mysterious and vicious wounds. What is he fighting every night that could do this, and why does he persist? "The Daughter of Owls" recounts an eerie old tale of a foundling girl who was left‹with an owl pellet‹as a newborn on the steps of the Dymton Church. She was soon cloistered away in a local convent, but by her fourteenth year word of her beauty had spread‹and those who would prey upon her faced unforeseen consequences.

48 pages, $12.95, in stores on July 4.

THE CROW: FLESH & BLOOD TPB

Written by James Vance, art by Alex Maleev.

One of the most haunting and compelling comics stories ever told has been resurrected by Dark Horse. People once believed that when a person dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead although sometimes, something so terrible happens that a sadness is carried with it and the soul cannot rest. Sometimes--just sometimes--the crow can bring that soul back to make the wrong things right.

In the midst of a rural land-rights struggle, federal conservation officer Iris Shaw is murdered in a bombing by a rag-tag band of right-wing activists. Little do her killers know that Iris wasn't their only victim and now, with the help of the Crow, Iris must exact vengeance not only for her own death but also that of her unborn baby. Raised from her grave and armed with cold-blooded hatred and a few deadly weapons, Iris hunts down her killers one by one. But if exacting ultimate pain is the goal, when does vengeance cross the line to brutality? And what is the price to the soul?

96 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on July 28.

EL ZOMBO #3

Written by Kevin Munroe, art by Dave Wilkins, art and cover by Wilkins and Tony Washington.

The final issue opens with a bang, as El Zombo makes a startling discovery--his body is slowly decomposing every time he fails to protect Beli! And to make matters worse, he awakens from a fight to find her missing. With Beli's life hanging in the balance, and Zombo potentially trapped on Earth forever, it becomes a race against time to learn the reason that fate has brought our two heroes together. Zombo will be forced to choose between his own vengeance and the life of the girl he has come to love as a daughter. Cynics will become believers and friends will become enemies as this explosive ending unmasks a new kind of hero.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 16.

GALACTIC TPB

Written by Jim Krueger, art by Sanford Greene and Greg Adams.

Living with his single mom and searching for his missing, drug-addicted brother, young Heath barely gets by in his hard city. Throw in some gang-related troubles and a misunderstanding at school, and he quickly finds himself at the end of his rope. Heath doesn't know, though, that he's being watched by Galactic, one of the most powerful groups in the universe. These interplanetary crusaders see something in the young teen that he himself doesn't even notice--the potential for heroism. This trade paperback introduces Heath, his troubled world, and the fantastic members of Galactic‹the strangest collection of anti-heroes you'll ever find. If you feel like you've been missing out on shock endings, this one delivers. Collecting the three-issue mini-series.

80 pages, $9.95, in stores on July 28.

THE GOON #7

Written and art by Eric Powell and Mike Mignola, cover by Mignola.

The Goon and Franky have seen their share of supernatural-type hub-bub. But when a big, red, stump-headed gorilla with a stone hand called Hellboy shows up on Lonely Street, they ain't exactly prepared for the hell that's about to break loose. And Hellboy ain't exactly prepared for Franky and the Goon. This is the crossover event of the year, and we ain¹t talking about pancakes and hot noodles!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 23.

GRENDEL: DEVIL'S REIGN #2

Written by Matt Wagner, art by Tim Sale.

In the 26th century A.D., continent-wide social upheaval following the collapse of Vatican Ouest is compounded by a spreading vampire infestation. Orion Assante;s ambitious quest to restore order has resulted in Calmerica, a paranoid nation united to triumph against a military threat perched at its southern border‹a threat engineered by Orion himself. Named Administrator General by his new lover, Sherri Caniff, Orion has learned that Africa is redeveloping nukes. Another overseas threat and a mysterious new confidant will soon change the rules of this high-stakes power game. Meanwhile, Pellon Cross has staged a secret, bloody coup at a casino in Vegas, and now welcomes vampires to Grendel's Palace. The continued absence of Eppy Thatcher begs the question: where is the Devil in all of this? It's a Brave New World ... and Grendel wants the helm.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 16.

LAST TRAIN TO DEADSVILLE: A CAL MCDONALD MYSTERY #2

Written by Steve Niles, art by Kelley Jones.

Horror's hippest writer is at it again with his latest journey into the bizarre world of supernatural private dick Cal McDonald--Last Train to Deadsville. Confronted in his own home by a demon-possessed teenager, Cal‹with the help of his living-dead partner, Mo'Lock‹has to act quickly to rid teen-dude of his demonic tag-along so he can figure out just what in the hell is going on. Before they know what hit them, Cal and Mo'lock find themselves racing to a small town in the Œburbs, toward the flaming hole in the kid's bedroom that just might be the gateway to Hell. Featuring fantastic, scary-as-hell artwork by Batman's Kelley Jones, Last Train to Deadsville is a fast-paced, wryly funny, horror fan's dream come true.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 9.

THE NAIL #1

Written by Steve Niles and Rob Zombie, art by Nat Jones, cover by Simon Bisley.

Rock star, film-maker, and horror maven Rob Zombie teams up with comics' hippest horror writer for the most outrageous comics thriller of the year. In the creepy, gore-drenched tradition of such cinematic '70s classics as Duel and The Hills Have Eyes comes The Nail! Small-time pro-wrestler Rex Hauser (a.k.a. The Nail) makes a living touring the small-town wrestling circuit with his family. It's business as usual for this close-knit bunch until they unwittingly cross paths with a murderous gang of Satanic bikers. But these aren't your run-of-the-mill devil worshippers. In fact, Hauser and his family just might be up against the most un-Godly evil ever known to man. Simon Bisley provides covers for this series.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 9.

OH MY GODDESS! #109

By Kosuke Fujishima.

From check point to check point, Sora's keeping up so far, as the cart race of her life continues. Vying for the right to either accept or decline the Nekomi Tech Motor Club's Director position, Sora Hasegawa finds the courage to race against one of the best--Keiichi Morisato! With Keiichi's goddess sweatheart, Belldandy, on her side, Sora has all the luck in the world behind her, but it will also take loads of confidence and skill to make it past Keiichi to the finish line. The "Sora Unchained" story line rolls into the home stretch, with all the complicated relationships, hilarious scenarios, and good-intentioned goddess magic that Kosuke Fujishima always delivers.

32 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on June 2.

SAMURAI EXECUTIONER VOLUME 1 TPB

Written by Kazuo Koike, art by Goseki Kojima.

From the creators of Lone Wolf and Cub comes Samurai Executioner. It¹s true! Before Koike and Kojima created Itto Ogami, they created Kubikiri Asa, better known to Lone Wolf readers as Decapitator Asaemon. He was the equal to Itto, bearer of the sword Onibocho, the man charged with the duty of testing the swords for the shogun. Samurai Executioner is based on the decapitator himself, in life before his fatal duel with Lone Wolf. Expect the same legendary drama, frantic action, and stoic samurai stature, combined with the exemplary art and storytelling that made Lone Wolf and Cub one of the most popular and influential comic books in the world.

328 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on July 14.

SHI: JU-NEN #2

Written and art by Billy Tucci, cover by Tucci and Marc Sparacio.

The Kabuki stage is set for ambush as Ana comes face to face with the mysterious Lady Kaoyo. One of the original "Nara Six" who hunted Shi in the acclaimed Way of the Warrior story-arc the beautiful Kaoyo readies her Nara warriors to annihilate the unsuspecting Imperial Kyoto Kabuki Theatre Troup. What follows is a showdown between the two, a duel of elegance, beauty, and the flash of the naginata as not only is Kaoyo far superior in skill, but desire for blood as well. For Kaoyo is also obsessed with the death of her brother, Nichi, and its catalyst, Ana Ishikawa ... Shi.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 9.

SPYBOY: FINAL EXAM #2

Written by Peter David, art by Pop Mhan.

Alex's world is turned upside down when the local police discover his hidden stash of weapons and conclude that he's a terrorist. And the only person in school who presents himself as his friend--the new physics teacher, Mr. Guy--is actually the nefarious Spyguy, out to destroy Alex Fleming for good.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 2.

STAR WARS: EMPIRE #22

Written by Welles Hartley, art by Jeff Johnson.

The fear of Imperial discovery sends the ships of the Rebel fleet scrambling for the far corners of the galaxy. Han, Chewie, Leia, and a young soldier named Deena Shan, on board the Millennium Falcon, end up near a dark jungle moon from which they receive a distress call. Investigating, they discover the remains of a tragedy dating from the Clone Wars, and a still-living threat that could claim them all. Fighting alongside the Heroes of Yavin, Shan learns that the Rebellion, and even survival, mean so much more than she imagined when put in the context of friendship and sacrifice.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 2.

STAR WARS: INFINITIES--RETURN OF THE JEDI TPB

Written by Adam Gallardo, art by Ryan Benjamin and Salem Crawford.

In the topsy-turvy Infinities universe, a single, seemingly insignificant event can alter the fate of the galaxy. Continuing with the tradition begun in Star Wars: Infinities -- A New Hope, we now give Return of the Jedi the Infinities treatment. When the plan to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt falls apart, Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, and Chewbacca embark on another rescue mission that puts them into direct conflict with Boba Fett. Meanwhile, Luke's late arrival on Dagobah ends with him being captured by Darth Vader and the Emperor, just as the second Death Star is about to go on-line. Will the return of the Jedi become the end of the Jedi? The surprising climax is as exciting as that of the film on which it is based, but different from anything Star Wars fans have seen before! Collecting the four-issue mini-series.

104 pages, $12.95, in stores on July 28.

STAR WARS: JEDI--YODA

Written by Jeremy Barlow, art by Hoon.

A double-sized Clone Wars special. He is arguably the most respected Jedi Master of all time, but even the great Yoda cannot predict or control the outcome of every situation. As the violence of the Clone Wars spreads across the galaxy, Yoda is called upon to lead a clone army against the forces of a king who befriended him two hundred years before. Seeking a peaceful resolution by following the Force, Yoda is hampered by suicidal enemy soldiers, hot-headed young Jedi, single-minded Clone Commanders, and by the unwavering beliefs held by his one-time friend. It's the diminutive Jedi's most dangerous mission yet‹where a single wrong move could change the course of the war.

48 pages, $4.99, in stores on June 30.

STAR WARS: REPUBLIC #66

Written by John Ostrander, art by Jan Duursema and Dan Parsons.

"Show of Force," part 2 of 2. Four Jedi with prices on their heads versus a space station full of bounty hunters! Really, need we say more? Mace Windu has decided that it's time for the Jedi to flex their muscles demonstrate to the Bounty Hunters' Guild the folly of attacking Jedi. It's going to be a hard lesson‹and one the Guild won¹t soon forget. Meanwhile, Count Dooku sends renegade Jedi Quinlan Vos to teach a similar lesson to the person who originated the bounties. Is it a case of opposite sides working toward the same end, or are the Separatists still one step ahead of the Jedi?

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 23.

STAR WARS TALES #20

By Tony Millionaire, Peter Bagge, Gilbert Hernandez, Bob Fingerman, James Kolchaka and more.

This issue features some of the heavy hitters from the world of indy comics. Gasp as Tony Millionaire offers up a story featuring Jar Jar Binks' long suffering father--George R. Binks. Squeal in delight at Peter Bagge exposes the underdeveloped leadership skills of Senate Representative Jar Jar Binks. Gasp as James Kolchaka chronicles the exploits of Boba Fett's cousin Melvin as he tries to assassinate a Jar Jar Binks sippy cup! And marvel at the utter lack of Jar Jar Binks in stories by Gilbert Hernandez and Bob Fingerman.

64 pages, $5.99, in stores on June 30.

STEVE RUDE'S THE MOTH #3

Written by Gary Martin, art by Steve Rude.

The facial bruises you've received from reading your Moth comics too closely have become badges of honor. Now friends and relatives admire your machismo for being such a dedicated Moth fan! But now it's time to pull up your bootstraps, because we're turning up the adventure dial to full throttle. In this issue, The Moth is the target of a mob vendetta, and he must sacrifice himself to repay a debt. Don¹t miss "The Price of Liberty," in The Moth #3.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 16.

USAGI YOJIMBO #76

By Stan Sakai.

Stan Sakai continues the 20th year of his internationally celebrated samurai adventure. Wandering ronin Usagi comes to the rescue of an outnumbered warrior, only to find himself promising to deliver a package for the dying Nagasaki man. Now in search of the man¹s daughter, Usagi discovers that warriors are in hot "Pursuit." What is the mystery of this package that could enflame the entire country, and what is its final destination?

24 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on June 30.