DARK HORSE COMICS FOR MARCH

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

BERSERK VOLUME 7 TPB

Written and art by Kentaro Miura.

Two feudal kingdoms, Midland and Chuder, battle for supremacy in what will become the final clash in a century-long struggle. Spearheading the Midland forces is the Band of the Hawk, a legendary cadre of elite mercenaries led by the charismatic Griffith and with the fearless Guts as its berserker champion. The Hawks' ferocity, courage, and fearsome skills‹not to mention Guts' enormous broadsword‹are just what Midland needs to turn the bloody tide, but during the fray, Guts and Griffith's most trusted lieutenant, Casca, fall together from a cliff into a raging river. Both miraculously survive‹barely‹and Guts tends to Casca's wounds as she tells of having her life saved by Griffith, her induction into the Band of the Hawk, and her deep feelings toward Griffith. And she even seems to finally be warming up to the grim Guts. But this greeting-card moment won't last long, for Chuder warriors are on the prowl, and the only greetings they carry are on the points of their spears.

232 pages, $13.95, in stores on April 13.

BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #99

Written and art by Hiroaki Samura.

"Trickster," part 1. Kidnapped and bound by three Itto-ryü warriors, Rin is unable to warn Manji that he's heading into a trap. To make matters worse, the Itto-ryü possess a large dose of kessen-satsu, the only poison known to damage Manji's immortal blood and severely cripple his regenerative abilities. After last monthıs odd resolution, is Giichi following Manji in order to help rescue Rin...or will he just stick around long enough to finish off any survivors? This first chapter of Samura's "Trickster" slugfest leads into next month's double-sized 100th issue.

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

B.P.R.D.: THE DEAD #5

Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, art by Guy Davis, colored by Dave Stewart.

As computers explode and deadly insects pour out of the walls of the team's new underground headquarters, Johann, possessed by the ghosts of the Nazi scientists, struggles to stop the madman who's recovered the Spear of Destiny. Back in Rhode Island, Abe Sapien concludes matters with his dead wife.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 30.

CLUB 9 VOLUME 3 TPB

Written and art by Makoto Kobayashi.

Haruo Hattori's the hottest country import that Tokyo's ever seen. Working in one of the most happening Hostess bars in the notorious Ginza, Haruo gets all the attention she could ever want‹and all she'd never want, since she's trying to stay loyal to her boyfriend back home. But thatıs not easy when a made-of-money bachelor with marriage on his mind gives Haruo a nice little present for her 19th birthday, just a l'il 'ol Ferrari! Collecting stories from issues #28-36 of the monthly Super Manga Blast! series.

192 pages, $15.95, in stores on April 20.

CONAN #14

Written by Kurt Busiek, art by Cary Nord and Thomas Yeates, colored by Dave Stewart, cover by Leinil Francis Yu.

Thoth-amon, the legendary sorcerer who will plague Conan throughout his life, launches his first attack, as the second story arc of this award-winning, critically lauded series concludes. A magical battle explodes, tearing up a forgotten temple as Conan and his assassin cohort take on the most evil man of the ancient world.

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

CONCRETE: THE HUMAN DILEMMA #4

Written and art by Paul Chadwick.

Trapped in an alien's rock-hard body, former speechwriter Ron Lithgow is an accidental celebrity who currently uses his high profile as Concrete to promote the agenda of a pizza mogul. While an unsettling figure studies the controversial population-control campaign, Concrete's message becomes exaggerated, distorted, and flat-out parodied. And why canıt he stop itching? Meanwhile, though aide Larry Munro might recognize that his recent judgment was awful, there's only so long until the fallout hits the fan. Longtime readers will not want to miss this issue's shocking ending.

32 pages, black and white, $3.50, in stores on March 23.

DAMN NATION #2

Written by Andrew Cosby, art by J. Alexander.

The cure to the vampire plague lies dead center in the middle of the undead nation, and the scientists need military help to get it out--but the rest of the world doesn't want America back on its feet. Even for the doctors and soldiers who hold the cure, saving the country takes a backseat to surviving one more night in these United States. The biggest surprise to the American forces comes when they realize the role that one small boy plays in their mission--a boy it seems almost impossible to protect.

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

DOCTOR SOLAR MAN OF THE ATOM VOLUME 2 HC

Written by Paul S. Newman and Matt Murphy, art by Frank Bolle, cover by George Wilson.

When Physicist Doctor Phillip Solar's experimental nuclear power caused him to absorb a dangerous amount of atomic radiation, the scientist miraculously survived only to find that he had gained incredible powers over matter and energy. Now, Solar must isolate himself from others to avoid exposing them to the same harmful deadly radiation that endows him with his extraordinary gifts. But when danger and disaster threaten the innocent, Solar leaps into action as The Man of the Atom. This archive collection reprints seven more issues, #8-#14, of Gold Key's original Doctor Solar comic-book series, the revolutionary science fiction adventure that gave birth to one of comics' most distinctive and beloved superheroes. Illustrated by Frank Bolle and written by Paul S. Newman, one of the most prolific comic-book scribes of all time.

200 pages, $49.95, in stores on April 27.

FIERCE TPB

Written by Jeremy Love, penciled by Robert Love, inked by Jeff Wasson, colored by Chip Zdarsky, cover by Steve Sanders.

Jonathan Fierce, a profiler for the FBI gifted with psychic abilities, failed to stop an explosion which has just killed his team of fellow agents, the only real family heıs ever had. The FBI wants to charge him with the crime. Now he's being hunted by the Feds and is on the run from the crime syndicate that killed his team. Miraculously, Fierce can hear the voices of his slain teammates, giving him the skills and abilities to become a one-man strike force. Now he's going deep under cover into the Jamaican underworld to strike at the heart of the syndicate and uncover the facts behind the conspiracy against him. Collecting the four-issue series.

120 pages, $13.95, in stores on April 27.

FRANK MILLERıS SIN CITY: BOOZE, BROADS, & BULLETS 2ND EDITION TPB

Written and art by Frank Miller.

The most diverse volume of Sin City material available, Booze, Broads, & Bullets showcases Frank Millerıs vignettes and color experiments from throughout the years of his groundbreaking crime series, and includes art created especially for the original collection. A good entry point for new readers wondering what Sin City is all about‹or longtime readers who canıt get enough‹Miller has painted a gritty, decadent, and gloriously dirty portrait. Have a taste of the cityŠjust one little taste. Just one.

160 pages, black and white, with blue and red, $15, in stores on March 16.

FRANK MILLERıS SIN CITY: FAMILY VALUES 2ND EDITION TPB

Written and art by Frank Miller.

Marking a departure for Miller from an entire career of serialized stories, this 128-page epic spilled out of him all at once...and you can't help but read it the same way. Family Values is a milestone among Miller's work, allowing him enough room to tell this classic story of grit and revenge exactly the way he wanted to. With deadly Miho running on roller-blades, Dwight running on adrenaline, and the Sin City mob on clean-up detail, this yarn from the Town Without Pity is not to be missed.

160 pages, black and white, $10, in stores on March 2.

FRANK MILLERıS SIN CITY: HELL AND BACK 2ND EDITION TPB

Written and art by Frank Miller.

In the Town Without Pity, good men are hard to find. Enter Wallace, a man of mystery. Heıs a nice guy whoıs very good at killing people. Out for an evening drive along the beach, he meets the woman of his dreams‹and sheıs trying to kill herself. Why? And who are the shadowy cabal of power brokers who wrench her from his arms? When will all hell break loose? Comics legend Frank Miller, creator of the groundbreaking Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, pounds out his longest S in City graphic novel to date‹a bare-knuckle barrage of brutal action, dark secrets, and heroic sacrifice. What the hell‹itıs a love story. The most recent story in Millerıs gritty crime saga, Hell and Back includes color sections and pinups by a whoıs who of comics luminaries.

320 pages, black and white, $25, in stores on April 6.

THE GOON #11

Written and art by Eric Powell.

The Goon kicks off a new story arc with this issue wherein the mad scientist and uneasy ally of the Goon, Dr. Hieronymous Alloy, begins to break down...literally. His metallic skin is beginning to oxidize and unless an element can be found to reverse the process, Alloy will most certainly rust over and die. As the doctor isolates the problem, it becomes apparent that the element he seeks cannot be found on this world. His only chance is to send an unsuspecting Goon and Franky to a parallel universe to find the key to his antidote.

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

HIPIRA: THE LITTLE VAMPIRE HC

Written by Katsuhiro Otomo, art by Shinji Kimura.

Welcome to the vampire city of Saruta, where the sun never rises, and all the vampire children love trying to stay up late. Hipira-Kun is a precocious young vampire whose best friend is a fairy named Soul. Hipira-Kun and Soul are an odd couple to say the least, and their games, pranks, and adventures are extraordinary even for dwellers of this supernatural city.

48 pages, $13.95, in stores on April 27.

MANGA DARKCHYLDE #2

Written and art by Randy Queen, colored by Sarah Oates.

This special dual origin issue, "The cruel creation of me," chronicles how this version of Ariel Chylde came to become "she who channels shadow." Ariel also makes a mysterious new friend named Perry, with secrets of his own, who may be more than he seems. How is he connected to the sinister Sisters of Shadow, and whose side will he choose when battle lines are drawn in the streets of Salem and they tighten their deadly grip? And don't miss an unexpected visit from Ariel's zombie mother.

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

MARGEıS LITTLE LULU VOLUME 3 TPB

Written and art by John Stanley, art by Irving Trip.

Whether she's weaving hilarious, sprawling tales while babysitting the terrible tot Alvin, keeping her chubby chum Tubby and his clubhouse cronies in line, or making nice with the friendly ghost she catches reading "People Stories" in her bedroom, Little Lulu is both "Everygirl" and an undeniable one-of-a-kind! Dark Horse Books is proud to present, for the first time ever, the complete run of John Stanley and Irving Tripp's legendary run of classic Margeıs Little Lulu comics in convenient, reader-friendly paperback volumes. Critically acclaimed and widely regarded as one of the most classic comics ever published, Little Lulu is an all-ages treasure, with stories funny and fresh enough to stand the test of time.

200 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on April 13.

THE MILKMAN MURDERS TPB

Written by Joe Casey, art by Steve Parkhouse.

After an assault by a mysterious and monstrous milkman, a typical American housewife has finally had too much of her hideous, deranged family, in this twisted parody of a Norman Rockwell image as painted by serial-killing folk-artist John Wayne Gacy. She takes a simple word of advice from her idol, the perfect 1950ıs mom on her television screen--"Discipline."

104 pages, $12.95, in stores on April 27.

SAMURAI: HEAVEN & EARTH #4

Written by Ron Marz, art by Luke Ross, colored by Jason Keith.

The samurai Shiro has traveled thousands of miles and fought countless battles in pursuit of his kidnapped lover Yoshiko. Now, finally, heıs found her. She is imprisoned within fabulous Versailles as a plaything for Franceıs Sun King, Louis XIV! Neither palace walls nor the blades of the kingıs Musketeers will keep Shiro from her side. But with a plot to assassinate the king afoot, will the lovers survive a reunion?

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

SAMURAI EXECUTIONER VOLUME 5: TEN FINGERS, ONE LIFE TPB

Written by Kazuo Koike, art by Goseki Kojima.

Striking similarities between Lone Wolf & Cub and Koike and Kojimaıs sidebar storyline Samurai Executioner (known as Kubikiri Asa in Japan) are evident in the cool attitude, rebellious honor, and unflappable bushido of the lead characters of both series, but readers will delight in the whole new genre of Edo-era samurai spirit in Samurai Executioner. Wrapped tightly around a core of crime fiction, we enter a world of harsh, and violent crime, and the forces up against it.

In this volume, after a few initial stories of criminalsı lives leading to execution, we meet two Edo-era police officers and explore their specialized methods of capturing crafty criminals. Then, in Koikeıs signature fashion, the volume ends with a psycho killer and her grueling and violent end. Itıs like a history lesson, art education, and pulp sensation, all wrapped up in one fantastic series.

304 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on April 13.

STAR WARS: EMPIRE #31

Written by Thomas Andrews, art by Adriana Melo, colored by Michael Atiyeh, cover by Tomas Giorello.

"Sons," part 3 of 5. Imperial Slave Ships are coming to take possession of the conquered population of Jabiim, and the only thing standing between them and the successful completion of their mission are two Rebel X-wing pilots. Hobbie Klivian and Wedge Antilles are in for the fight of their lives. Meanwhile, planetside, Luke Skywalker and his captors have joined forces to battle an army of stormtroopers. But Lukeıs having a hard time focussing his fledgling Jedi powers as he is haunted by the recent knowledge that his father, Anakin Skywalker, was not a hero to the people of Jabiim, but a traitor.

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

STAR WARS: EPISODE III‹REVENGE OF THE SITH TPB

Written by Miles Lane, art by Doug Wheatley.

The official comics adaptation of the most anticipated of the Star Wars films! The action of the Clone Wars comes to a dramatic conclusion, and events are put in place for A New Hope. Battles rage in space, armies clash on alien worlds, heroes become martyrs, and friends become enemies‹all leading up to the biggest, longest, and most incredible lightsaber duel in Star Wars history. This is the film that answers the questions, How did Anakin succumb to the dark side? What happened to Luke and Leiaıs mother? And why are there no Jedi around in the original Trilogy?

96 pages, $12.95, in stores on April 2.

STAR WARS: GENERAL GRIEVOUS #1

Written by Chuck Dixon, penciled by Rick Leonardi, inked by Mark Pennington.

On a rescue mission to Vandos, Padawan Flynn Kybo and his master T'chooka D'oon come face to face with one of the leaders of the Separatist army, General Grievous. After Grievous kills his master, Kybo goes to the Jedi Council with a plan to take out the general before more lives are lost. But when the council rejects his plan, Flynn Kybo decides to take matters in his own hands. Seeking out others who share his feelings, Flynn Kybo sets out toput an end to the cyborg killer. Meanwhile, Grievous has hijacked a transport ship -- and its precious cargo may give him an advantage over the Jedi that they would never expect...

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

STAR WARS: OBSESSION #5

Written by Haden Blackman, art by Brian Ching.

On the bleak cemetery world of Boz Pity, the Jedi fight what they hope will be a decisive battle against the Separatists. As a team of powerful Jedi take on Count Dooku, Mace Windu goes one-on-one with General Grievous in a spectacular duel that requires both parties to pull out all the stops!

But Obi-Wan Kenobi cares for none of this. He is concerned with only a single target‹the enemy he has pursued across the galaxy. But Obi-Wan doesnıt realize that his greatest triumph might also lead to his greatest failure, and destroy everything that makes him a Jedi and a hero. The conclusion of this story sets the stage for Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 30.

STAR WARS: REPUBLIC #75

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

"The Siege of Saleucami," part 2 of 4. With his supply lines cut and his Clone army decimated, General Oppo Rancisis fears he will not have the forces to prevent Dark Jedi Sora Bulq from taking the Morgukai Shadow Army off-world to threaten the galaxy. There is a desperate plan for a foray into the magma tunnels of Saleucami, but before the plan can be carried out, Rancisis is attacked by Anzati assassins and by Sora Bulq himself. Meanwhile, Tholme confronts his former padawan, and the battle between them has deadly consequences.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on March 30.

STAR WARS TALES #23

Written by Rob Williams and Joshua Ortega, art by Brandon Badeaux, Dustin Weaver and various.

The "new" Star Wars Tales continues. Thousands of years before the fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker, there were other Jedi who grappled with the same human emotions that overwhelmed the man who became Darth Vader. During the time of the Old Republic, three young Jedi in particular--one bearing the surname Qel Droma‹traveled the Sith Homeworld of Korriban intending to finish their Orderıs "Great Hunt." What they find lurking in their own hearts proves more dangerous than any prey theyıre after, in this prequel to the popular Knights of the Old Republic video game. Also in this issue: the tragic third chapter in the story of lone Jedi Darca Nyl.

64 pages, $5.99, in stores on March 9.

STAR WARS: VISIONARIES TPB

By Ian McCaig, Warren Fu, Derek Thompson and more.

Theyıve been responsible for some of the most dazzling and awe-inspiring visuals ever put to film, and now the concept artists, behind the Star Wars prequels are bringing their considerable talents to comics.

Just in time for Star Wars: Episode III, the wildly gifted minds of the Lucasfilm art department and visual effects powerhouse Industrial Light & Magic come together to tell their own Star Wars tales in this compilation of short stories. Given free reign to explore any and every aspect of the Star Wars universe, each artist offers a new twist or a deeper view into that galaxy far, far away. Nowhere else will you find a more pure or more different look at George Lucas' enduring creation than through the eyes of the Star Wars: Visionaries.

136 pages, $17.95, in stores on April 2.

SUPER MANGA BLAST! #50

By Mohiro Kitoh, Makoto Kobayashi, Kenichi Sonoda, Hiroyuki Utatane and Toshiya Takeda.

Super Manga Blast! celebrates its milestone fiftieth issue with a fan art contest that will see two lucky readers win original art by SMB! creators Yuzo Takada (3x3 Eyes) and Hiroyuki Utatane (Seraphic Feather)! Signed sketches of heroines Pai and Attim M-Zak are up for grabs, along with other primo Dark Horse Manga prizes.

This month's Shadow Star episode features a confrontation between the two main groups of teen dragon bearers. With an alien menace still on Earth, the Cannon God Exaxxion team plans its next move, while U.N. super-agents battle meta-human terrorists in Seraphic Feather. romantic tensions continue to build in Club 9, and the odd humor of Whatıs Michael? continues to satisfy.

128 pages, black and white, $5.99, in stores on March 30.

TONY MILLIONAIRE'S SOCK MONKEY IN THAT DARN YARN HC

By Tony Millionaire.

Here is a book that contains two stories in one. On the right-hand side is a story about a sock monkey getting his foot snagged on a tack as heıs going down the stairs. As he rambles around Ann Louise's Victorian house, he unravels. On the left-hand page is a story about Ann Louise finding a ball of yarn and beginning to knit a sock monkey. The stories merge as the book unfolds and the adventure develops.

40 pages, $7.95, in store on April 27.

USAGI YOJIMBO #83

Written and art by Stan Sakai.

Internationally celebrated storyteller Stan Sakai continues his tales of samurai adventure in Usagi Yojimbo! This issue begins a multipart story with the discovery of gold in a mountain range. The hunter who finds it is captured and tortured by a power-hungry lord, but there is another problem: the gold technically lies in the neighboring Geishu Province. As if that werenıt enough news for the Geishu border, there is a sudden outbreak of the plague! Lord Noriyuki sends his bodyguard Tomoe to investigate, and she and her retinue soon enter a village in the "hot zone"...with lethal results! What new perils threaten this beloved character? And what about the gold? Find out in the first part of "The Treasure of the Mother of Mountains," this month in Usagi Yojimbo.

32 pages, black and white, $2.99.