DARK HORSE FIRST LOOKS

FIRST LOOK: BMW FILMS': THE HIRE #1

BMW Films': The Hire #1 will arrive in stores on Wednesday, Aug. 11 from Dark Horse Comics. The issue is written by Matt Wagner, with art and cover by Wagner.

Here's how Dark Horse describes the book:

"Author Raymond Chandler wrote, 'Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid.' Chandler was talking about his own character, Philip Marlowe, but he could just as easily been referring to the Hire, the star of BMW Films' series of short films. Now Dark Horse and BMW Films are bringing The Hire -- the enigmatic hero capable of doing the hard thing for the right reasons -- to the comics page.

"Just as each of the films is directed by a different top director, each issue of The Hire will be a stand-alone story by a different top creator or creator team. First up: Matt Wagner, the creator of Grendel and Mage.

"When the Hire is asked to sneak a rich man's spoiled, scandalous daughter out of town, he thinks the worst heıll have to deal with are persistent paparazzi. Then the bullets start to fly..."

BMW Films': The Hire #1 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.95.

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FIRST LOOK: BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #92

Blade of the Immortal #92 will arrive in stores on Wednesday, Aug. 11 from Dark Horse Comics. The issue is by Hiroaki Samura.

Here's how Dark Horse describes the book:

"The Shingyötö-ryü swordsmen, on a quest to avenge the strange death of their schoolmaster, are split into three groups and fighting the three classiest swordfighters in the Blade universe! The stuttering, vindictive Iriya is determined to kill Anotsu, his now-decrepit target, but must first face Makie, the beautiful-yet-vicious angel of death. The young, swaggering Magatsu is locked in close combat with one of the Shingyötö-ryü clanıs most honorable students, and a confident Manji, almost finally reunited with Rin, begins to dispatch his share of bloodthirsty opponents to the netherworld. Join us as Hiroaki Samura continues to reinvent the bushido grudge match by mixing elements of classic samurai tales and epic Western films with modern punk rock sensibilities."

Blade of the Immortal #92 will be 32 black-and-white pages and will cost $2.99.

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FIRST LOOK: SPYBOY: FINAL EXAM #3

SpyBoy: Final Exam #3 will arrive in stores on Wednesday, Aug. 11 from Dark Horse Comics. The issue is written by Peter David, with art and cover by Pop Mhan.

Here's how Dark Horse describes the book:

"Alex Fleming, aka SpyBoy, is on the run from the police who mistakenly think heıs a terrorist! Alex's dad is in jail, believed to be the ringleader! The teacher he's counting on to aid him is actually the notorious SpyGuy, ready for the final act of his revenge against Alex. And the only person who can possibly save them is Alex's mom ... except it means going public with her greatest secret."

SpyBoy: Final Exam #3 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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FIRST LOOK: STAR WARS: EMPIRE #23

Star Wars: Empire #23 will arrive in stores on Wednesday, Aug. 11 from Dark Horse Comics. The issue is written by Peter David, with art and cover by Pop Mhan.

Here's how Dark Horse describes the book:

"It was supposed to be an easy gig ... transport a young woman across the desert to the waiting arms of her friends. But nothing's ever easy for reformed smuggler BoShek, and he soon finds himself in the middle of a struggle between a militant cell of the Rebel Alliance and Imperial operatives -- and in direct conflict with his own desires to avoid galactic politics. With the fires of civil war burning around him, BoShek may be forced to make a stand with one side or the other ... unless he can make a run... The first full-feature comics adventure of one of the most intriguing characters from the Mos Eisley cantina, the 'Rockabilly Spaceman' himself, BoShek."

Star Wars: Empire #23 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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FIRST LOOK: STEVE RUDE'S THE MOTH #4

Steve Rude's the Moth #4 will arrive in stores on Wednesday, Aug. 11 from Dark Horse Comics. The issue is written by Gary Martin, with art and cover by Steve Rude.

Here's how Dark Horse describes the book:

"In the final chapter of the Liberty saga, The Moth finds himself outnumbered and outclassed by a trio of mischievous cat burglars. While Jack's circus family gets an unexpected addition."

Steve Rude's The Moth #4 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

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