DARK HORSE COMICS FOR MAY

Following are Dark Horse Comics' solicitations for May, with information coming from the publisher.

ALIENS VS. PREDATOR VOLUME 2: CIVILIZED BEASTS TPB

Written by Mike Kennedy, art by Roger Robinson.

The new world was an unspoiled frontier perfect for colonization, a virtual paradise of boundless beauty and limitless resources, untouched by human hands...but not untouched, as the unsuspecting colonists soon discovered. Now marooned on a planet infested with the deadliest Alien species ever encountered, the colonists learn firsthand the Law of the Jungle: adapt or become extinct. And a little helping hand couldn't hurt, inexplicably provided by the selfsame Predators who destroyed the colonists' ship and made them prisoners in paradise. Are these extraterrestrial hunters actually showing sympathy for the humans' plight, or do they have something even more monstrous in mind?

96 pages, $6.95, in stores on June 29.

BILLY THE KID'S OLD-TIMEY ODDITIES #2

Written by Eric Powell, art by Kyle Hotz.

After a long journey across the ocean, Billy the Kid and Finneas Sproule s band of sideshow performers find themselves in a creepy European village‹a village not found on any map. It is here that Sproule believes they will find "The Golem s Heart," an ancient artifact worth a fortune. However, the Heart is in the possession of the infamous mad scientist, Dr. Frankenstein. To retrieve it, the group must seek him out!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on May 18.

BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #101

By Hiroaki Samura.

"Trickster," part 3 of 4. The vicious grudge match between Giichi and Magatsu concludes! Two fan=favorites exchange blows on a rickety bridge above a deadly chasm ... and someone's headed for oblivion! Don't miss this heavyweight bout, as the Mugai-ryü crew's top headhunter clashes with a skilled Itto-ryü anti-hero. Nearby, Manji fights for his life after being blinded by a tenacious new foe. Facing an enemy armed with kessen-satsu, the only poison known to damage his immortal blood, Manji is vulnerable, falling apart, and swinging in the dark.

32 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on May 11.

BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL VOLUME 14: LAST BLOOD TPB

By Hiroaki Samura.

Rin has spent countless days chasing the murderer of her parents, and now she has Anotsu Kagehisa where she wants him, but the deathly ill Anotsu is too sick for the honor-bound Rin to strike down. But such is not the case for the students of the Shingyötö-ryü, who are out to avenge the death of their sword master, and they have Rin captured and Anotsu cornered. The spirit of revenge is thick in the air‹and about to get thicker as Manji, Rinıs immortal bodyguard, finally reunites with his charge as this pot of retribution prepares to boil over. And so Manjiıs faced with a strange irony‹to save Rin, he must cut down the men who are out to kill Anotsu, Manjiıs sworn enemy.

256 pages, black and white, $17.95, in stores on June 1.

CONAN #16

Written by Kurt Busiek, art by Cary Nord and Thomas Yeates.

The third major arc in the critically acclaimed, best-selling Conan series begins with Conan once again rejecting civilization, but quickly learning that sorcery reaches out into the wild as well. Cary Nord begins a much-anticipated run on covers of the series that he made a hit, as we lay the groundwork leading up to the adaptation of one of Robert E. Howardıs most popular stories, "The Tower of the Elephant."

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on May 18.

CONAN AND THE JEWELS OF GWAHLUR #2

By P. Craig Russell.

For once, it's not Conan doing the beheading -- and he doesn't like it. Conan manages to play everyone into the positions he needs them in order to steal the coveted jewels, but he's still victim to the mystical fortress in which they're contained, and the primitive thugs who worship the dead oracle watching over the Teeth of Gwahlur.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on May 11.

CONCRETE: THE HUMAN DILEMMA #6

By Paul Chadwick.

Life for Concrete has changed for good. His alien body has given birth to a tiny, comatose version of itself...possibly the result of an intense night with Maureen. If Concrete hadn't broken his promise to his employer, Walter Sageman, the pizza mogul would still be alive. Now he must deal with the murder's aftermath, while population--control radical Randall Gordonıs contraceptive virus is one step closer to realization. New ex-fiancé Larry Munro is left to babysit the stone child. However, he's headed for disastrous physical and emotional pain...

32 pages, black and white, $3.50, in stores on May 25.

THE GOON #12

By Eric Powell.

Sure, self-experimentation seems like all fun and games but then it goes affecting your mind and you unleash your killer robots on the city. Just look at what happens to Dr. Alloy here. He goes nutty as an outhouse rat, folks. But don't worry, Goon wouldn't let no mechanized contraption knock down his favorite watering hole, Norton's Pub. Letıs just keep our fingers crossed that Franky and Butler Lagarto Hombre can find a cure for Alloyıs madness before he goes ticking off the Goon.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on May 18.

THE JACKSON 500 VOLUME 1 HC

Art by Tim Biskup.

In this new collection of paintings, Tim Biskup continues where he left off with his 100 Paintings book. Birds, beasts, shriners, and showgirls are among the frolicking inhabitants of Biskupıs bizarre, colorful world. Acting as a kind of workshop for new ideas, the tiny paintings in The Jackson 500 Volume One, are spontaneous compositions that contain the buds of many of Biskupıs recurring characters, themes, and color theories. This volume contains the first one hundred in the series of five hundred business card-sized paintings, reproduced at actual size. A fine document of process and inspiration.

112 pages, $14.95, in stores on June 29.

LITTLE LULU: SUNDAY AFTERNOON TPB

By John Stanley and Irving Tripp.

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 Marge's 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.

208 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on June 8.

MAN WITH THE SCREAMING BRAIN #1

Written by Bruce Campbell and David Goodman, art by Rick Remender and Hilary Barta, covers by Remender and Barta and Phil Noto.

B-movie megastar Bruce Campbell, star of Evil Dead, Army of Darkness, Bubba Ho-Tep, and The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., comes to comics with this adaptation of his upcoming feature film. Campbell co-wrote the film with David Goodman, as well as directing and starring in it. Working directly from Campbell's script, Hilary Barta and Rick Remender present this "directorıs cut" version of the film before the film itself even hits the theaters. Man with the Screaming Brain tells the story of a wealthy American businessman determined to exploit the crippled economy of a former Soviet state now torn between communist roots and capitalist greed. Campbell's character hits on the wrong gypsy girl and lands in the grip of a mad scientist determined to get rich off a twisted brain-transplant scheme worthy of Dr. Frankenstein. This is the version of the script that Campbell wanted to shoot before budgetary constraints forced them to scale back his vision, that original vision is laid out here. Artists Hilary Barta and Rick Remender offer a darkly cartoony collaboration in a fast-paced, uncompromising horror romp.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on May 11.

MANGA DARKCHYLDE #3

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

The third issue of the all-ages reinterpretation of Darkchylde is here! In "Unexpected allies and a 59' vette!" Ariel's deceased Father pays her a visit to let her know that the key to her victory against shadow could very well be out in the garage! Good thing he placed it where no one would find it: inside the gas cap of his mint 59' Corvette! Because no one touches the 'vette! And did we mention this is the issue that classic Darkchylde side-kicks War and Piece arrive? Classic cars, monster mayhem, humor, and action abound in Manga Darkchylde # 3.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on June 1.

SAMURAI EXECUTIONER VOLUME 6 TPB

Written by Kazuo Koike, art by Goseki Kojima.

The stoic bushido world of Samurai Executioner is one full of flying, disembodied heads, and odd happenings. And this volume is no exception. There are always stories of crimes and ensuing punishment, and plenty of squirting blood, but this volume promises a story that will fascinate and produce a few grins. A mysterious woman, with a turtle-like demon tattooed on her back and the ability to swim like no other, is stealing weapons of men around Edo. It's scarring egos and causing lots of problems. Of course, Asa has the answer to the mystery. And in a surprise turn, a samurai cop whom we've met before finally captures the woman, and does so in a rather erotic way.

304 pages, $9.95, in stores on June 8.

STAR WARS: CLONE WARS VOLUME 6--ON THE FIELDS OF BATTLE TPB

Written by John Ostrander, penciled by Jan Duursema, inked by Dan Parsons, colored by Brad Andeson, cover by Tomas Giorello.

From the space-station headquarters of the Bounty Hunters' Guild, to untamed worlds on the edge of the galaxy, the Jedi must go where the Clone Wars take them. Mace Windu leads an elite Jedi strikeforce against an army of trained killers in a demonstration of Jedi power and resolve... Aayla Secura must confront her former Master in an effort to retrieve the plans for a weapon that has already destroyed one world... Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker must joins forces with a renegade Jedi to prevent a fleet of warships from falling into the hands of the enemy... On whatever field of battle the Jedi find themselves, their greatest challenge is to remain true to their teachings and to the ways of the Force!

168 pages, $19.95, in stores on June 29.

STAR WARS: EMPIRE #33

Written by Scott Allie, penciled by Joe Corroney, colored by Michael Atiyeh.

"The Price of Power." For the velociraptor-like inhabitants of Tiss'sharrl, assassination is a common method of corporate or political advancement -- as the planet's president can attest. But the Tiss'shar are about to get a surprising lesson in the use of force from one who has made the ruthless application of fear and violence a way of life: Darth Vader has dropped in for an unexpected visit. Vader's arrival could not have come at a worse time for the President, who is fending off attempts on his life -- and business offers from a dangerous quarter. But even the Presidentıs cool reptilian intellect can't guess at the real reasons for Vader's visit, or the depths at which the Dark Lordıs machinations run...

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on May 4.

STAR WARS: GENERAL GRIEVOUS #3

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

Flynn Kybo and his band of Jedi have teamed up with a ragtag group of civilians to kill General Grievous and end his reign of terror. Meanwhile Grievous, who is holding a group of young Padawans hostage, comes into conflict with Darth Tyrannus, who has his own plans for the young Jedi in training. But Grievous isnıt one to bend at the will of another even if that other is a Sith Lord.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on May 18.

STAR WARS: REPUBLIC #77

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

"The Siege of Saleucami" part 4 of 4. The losses for the Republic‹and the Jedi‹in the Clone Wars have been staggering. And few battles have been as hard fought as the one on Saleucami. Here, the greatest military threat mounted by the Separatists has been encountered, the Republicıs greatest heroes have faltered, and the heart, mind, and motives of Jedi Master Quinlan Vos have been laid bare. His secret dealings with Dooku exposed, and the depth to which he was manipulated revealed, Vos stands on a knifeıs edge between the dark side and redemption! This is the final issue of Republic before it is overtaken by the events in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on May 25.

SUPER MANGA BLAST! #52

By Mohiro Kitoh, Makoto Kobayashi, Kenichi Sonoda, Hiroyuki Utatne and Toshiya Takead.

Unable to ignore the grudge she harbors, Satomi Ozawa makes a deadly move against Shiina Tamai, using a powerful Shadow Dragon to hunt Shiina down. A weird, dangerous game begins with this new Shadow Star story arc! An easily frightened, dysfunctional vampire returns to the world of Whatıs Michael? As the invading Riofaldian aliens plan their next assault, Hoichi Kano and the Cannon God Exaxxion team welcome a new member to the Exaxxion home base. Surprising, mysterious forces are awakened in Seraphic Feather, while our Club 9 cutie, Haruo Hattori, works her own mysterious magic on a heartbroken, major league baseball pitcher.

128 pages, black and white, $5.99, in stores on May 25.

TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN: HOW TO BE HAPPY TPB

By Shannon Wheeler.

Too Much Coffee Man has been percolating in the comics underground for years now, and like everything else that was once "alternative," he's sold out, been used by the man (as an advertising tool for Hewlitt Packard and Converse, among others), and is now middle-aged, depressed, broke, and cynical. Who better to write a book, then, called How to be Happy? In this, Shannon Wheelerıs most timely and funniest book to date, the hyper-maniacal, coffee-cup-headed anti-hero laments the state of American democracy, global warming, living under the confusing cloud of terrorist threats, sexual politics, debilitating personal neuroses, and all sorts of other really fun and lighthearted topics! Combining his signature formula of hilarious art, absurd but insightful observations, and bold humor, with his quickly deteriorating hope for humanity, Wheeler has crafted a comics collection custom made for the disaffected and disenfranchised.

144 pages, black and white, $12.95, in stores on June 15.

USAGI YOJIMBO #84

By Stan Sakai.

Internationally celebrated storyteller Stan Sakai continues his tales of samurai adventure in Usagi Yojimbo! This issue is the second installment of the multipart story "The Treasure of the Mother of Mountains." Lord Sanada, a power-hungry tyrant from last issue, is operating a secret gold mine in the neighboring Geishu Province‹and keeping inquisitive minds at bay with rumors of the plague. The warriors sent by Lord Noriyuki to investigate have been either killed or captured, and Sanada's samurai are now in hot pursuit of Tomoe! Back at the Geishu castle, ambitious sycophant Lord Horikawa plots to get rid of Tomoe himself. Unaware of any trouble, a familiar rabbit ronin enters into Geishu territory...

24 pages, black and white, $2.99.

WHATıS MICHAEL? VOLUME 10: SLEEPLESS NIGHTS 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? combines true-to-life feline behavior every cat-lover (and hater!) will recognize along with off-the-wall trips into the realms of the fantastic (vampires?) and the ridiculous (cat high school?). Whether unlocking the mysteries of where cats sleep or analyzing the structure of the cat pecking order, the answers always come with loads of laughter!

88 pages, black and white, in stores on June 22.