Friday, June 10, 2005
DARK HORSE COMICS FOR SEPTEMBER
AEON FLUX #2
Written by Mike Kennedy, art by Timothy Green II.
Family ties can prove useful, especially when Aeon Flux is pulling the strings. Though she keeps her secret agent activity hidden from her sister, Una Flux, Aeon is not above using her sister's love-struck infatuation with a government scientist to her advantage. A little intervention and subtle matchmaking and everyone benefits, including Aeon's eager young protégé, Sithandra. While her drawn out acrobatic training may seem to be a complete waste of time, there is much she can learn from Aeon's experience ... and vice versa ...
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 21.
THE ART OF COMIC-BOOK INKING 2ND EDITION TPB
Written by Gary Martin, art by various.
Gary Martin's two volumes of The Art of Comic-Book Inking have become the industry-standard manuals for aspiring inkers seeking to take their work to the next level or for working professionals looking to broaden their skills base. Now, these two textbooks have been combined into a single value-priced volume and expanded with new material, including three additional blue-lined art boards featuring pencil art by master comics illustrators Jack Kirby, John Buscema, and Gil Kane. Gain insights into the techniques, tools, and approaches of some of the finest delineators in comics today, including Terry Austin, Mark Farmer, Scott Williams, Alex Garner, and many more. When putting pen or brush to paper, no tool is more helpful than The Art of Comic-Book Inking.
192 pages plus eight art boards, $24.95, in stores on Oct. 26.
BERSERK VOLUME 9 TPB
Written and art by Kentaro Miura.
Griffith, charismatic leader of the elite mercenary Band of the Hawk, has seen better days. His fearless champion, Guts, has left the Band, defeating Griffith in personal combat as his ticket out. With his judgment clouded by this unthinkable humiliation, Griffith eases his pain in the arms of the daughter of Midland's king. But the King doesn't take kindly to an employee picking the royal flowers, and the next stop for Griffith is the dungeon and the torture rack! Without Griffith and Guts, the Hawks become easy prey for Midland's army, and the AWOL Guts may be the only answer to the Hawks'--and Griffith's--lethal problems.
240 pages, $13.95, in stores on Oct. 12.
BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #105
Written and art by Hiroaki Samura.
The feud between the Ittö-ryü and the Mugai-ryü heats up as Anotsu renews his quest for revenge. Still reeling from the Mugai-ryü surprise attack that wiped out most of his troops, Anotsu rallies his surviving followers and sets a new plan of attack in motion. Manji finally meets with Habaki Kagamura, leader of the shadowy Mugai-ryü, and they sit down to discuss Manji's past, his connection to Habaki, and the kessen-chu bloodworms that grant him immortality. Intrigue and surprises in another tense installment from Hiroaki Samura!
32 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 14.
B.P.R.D.: THE BLACK FLAME #2
Written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, art by Guy Davis, colors by Dave Stewart.
Abe Sapien tries to settle into a desk job as the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense's war against the frog monsters escalates. But while Roger leads the Bureau's military units from victory to victory, the Nazi head of a major U.S. corporation puts his best scientists to work harnessing the power of the frogmen, and preparing for the return of a bizarre villain from the Bureau's secret past--The Black Flame.
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 28.
CHOSEN TPB
Written by Mark Millar, art by Peter Gross.
Imagine you're 12 years old and suddenly discover that you are the returned Jesus Christ. You can turn water into wine, make the crippled walk, and perhaps even raise the dead. What do you and your family do, and how does it affect you knowing that you're destined to grow up and take part in a conflict that people have been waiting almost two thousand years for? Chosen has been described in the British press as Spider-Man meets The Book of Revelation. SFX magazine describes it as Harry Potter for Christian fundamentalists. Chosen is the latest graphic novel in the Millarworld line of books from writer Mark Millar.
72 pages, $9.95, in stores on Oct. 12.
CRAVAN HC
Written by Mike Richardson and Rick Geary, art by Geary.
This is a true story about the most interesting person you've never heard of: Arthur Cravan, major figure in pre-WWI cutting-edge art circles, was among the greatest mysterious figures of the Twentieth Century. A self-confessed thief, forger, and con artist, he used a roster of assumed names and false identities. He was known, at various times, as a novelist, poet, painter, art critic, lecturer, publisher, and French Boxing Champion. Always a rebellious, restless spirit, this dedicated rule-breaker was a political radical whose friendship with Leon Trotsky earned him the surveillance of the U.S. government--even through his immigration to Mexico with his wife, the poet Mina Loy. In 1918, at the age of thirty-one, the fascinating physical giant vanished without a trace, and--despite several supposed sightings over the years--was never seen again. Is it possible that he became the mysterious, reclusive novelist B. Traven, who wrote The Treasure of the Sierra Madre?
72 pages, black and white, $14.95, in stores on Oct. 26.
CONAN #20
Written by Kurt Busiek, art by Cary Nord, colored by Dave Stewart, cover by Jose Ladronn.
Conan series begins its highly anticipated adaptation of Robert E. Howard's "The Tower of the Elephant," one of the most popular Conan tales of all time. A bar fight in the City of Thieves yields far more than expected when Conan learns of the fabled and impregnable Tower of the Elephant. Determined to rob it, Conan sets out on a quest that will involve new comrades, sudden death, horrifying creatures, and gruesome unsettling fates for both gods and men.
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 21.
CONAN: THE GOD IN THE BOWL AND OTHER STORIES TPB
Written by Kurt Busiek, art by Cary Nord, inked by Thomas Yeates, colored by Dave Stewart.
The critically acclaimed and award-winning creative team behind the runaway hit revival are back with a brand new adaptation of one of Conan creator Robert E. Howard's best-known tales.
Award-winning writer Kurt Busiek and artists Cary Nord and Dave Stewart render the glorious suspense of Howard's beloved "The God in the Bowl" in all its terrifying detail, as well as introducing not only Conan's most famed adversary, Thoth-amon, but a new female foil to Conan's exploits--Janissa, the Widowmaker, bound by a pact to a witch who has sinister plans for Conan.
124 pages, $15.95, in stores on Sept. 28.
THE CURSE OF DRACULA TPB
Written by Marv Wolfman, art by Gene Colan, colored by Dave Stewart.
In the 1970s, writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan created seventy issues of terrifying tales in the classic Marvel series The Tomb of Dracula. Now, Wolfman and Colan are together again, offering a fresh take on the most enduring character in horror fiction and catapulting the Lord of the Dead back into comics stardom.
A mysterious and persuasive figure is moving amongst the circles of San Francisco's political elite. When Jonathan Van Helsing and his team of vampire hunters come to town investigating a string of grisly murders and stumble into a virtual pit of blood-soaked horrors, they know it's only a matter of time before they come face to face with the master of the dark.
80 pages, $9.95, in stsores on Oct. 12.
DAMN NATION TPB
Written by Andrew Cosby, art by J. Alexander.
From the creator of UPN's Haunted and the Sci-Fi network original series Eureka comes one of the most ambitious and horrifying tales ever committed to the comics page, Writer Andrew Cosby has imagined a United States shut off from the world by concrete barricades and barbed wire--not because of what might get in, but what might get out. A vampire plague has spread from sea to shining sea and when a small holdout of scientists trapped outside of Buffalo, N.Y. discover a cure, it's up to a Special Ops team from the President's current offices in London to go in and get it. Yet, not everyone in the world wants to see America back in the saddle again ...
104 pages, $12.95, in stores on Oct. 12.
FAVOLE: STONE TEARS BOOK 1 TPB
Written and art by Victoria Frances.
Victoria Francés creates in her first book a gothic romantic fantasy reminiscent of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, filled with tales of vampires, magic, and the undying spirit of lovers which reaches across the centuries. Lushly illustrated, Favole: Stone Tears is the first book in an ongoing series by an emerging new talent in the illustration field.
48 pages, $12.95, in stores on Oct. 12.
THE FOG TPB
Written by Scott Allie, art by Todd Herman.
This October, John Carpenter brings one of his most original nightmares back to the big screen with a remake of The Fog, starring Smallville's Superboy Tom Welling. Carpenter and director Rupert Wainwright (Stigmata) team with Dark Horse Comics to flesh out the story of doomed travelers and the supernatural devastation of a small coastal town, in this original graphic novel.
Scott Allie, writer of The Devil's Footprints and Star Wars: Empire worked with the director to craft a bizarre story about a Chinese curse and a town plunged into a walking-dead nightmare. A group of Shanghai traders have come to America hoping to escape a string of weird deaths at the claws of unseen monsters. The arrival of a strange yet familiar fog reveals that the curse has found them, but even they don't know what that has to do with a pyromaniac refugee from the Civil War, the disappearance of one of their sons, or the terrible change coming over the Americans in this small seaside town.
With a cover by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and haunting art by Todd Herman (The Dark Horse Book of the Dead) and Dave Stewart (Conan, Hellboy), this original graphic novel is an essential intro to the new film.
88 pages, $6.95, in Oct. 26.
FRANK MILLER'S SIN CITY LIBRARY I HC
Written and by Frank Miller.
A collector's dream! Sin City fans the world over are clamoring for oversized archival editions of the legendary noir series from Frank Miller, and Dark Horse is rising to the occasion! In the tradition of the EC Library, these deluxe hardcovers measure 9" x 12", are printed on high-quality paper stock, and collect each original series along with the color series covers. The four hardcover volumes of set I are packaged in a handsomely designed slipcase--a long-awaited addition to the bookshelves of discriminating comics fans.
This slipcase holds volumes one through four of Sin City, the hard-boiled stories that started it all! Never before seen at this size, the now-infamous Marv, Dwight, Gail, Miho, Hartigan, Nancy, and the Yellow Bastard will transport you to Sin City and show you the bloody lives they lead ... bloody by choice or by circumstance.
Set I includes Sin City vols. 1-4: The Hard Goodbye, A Dame to Kill For, The Big Fat Kill, and That Yellow Bastard.
840 pages, black and white, $150, in stores on Oct. 26.
THE GOON: FANCY PANTS EDITION HC
Written and art by Eric Powell.
This volume collects the essential stories of the Eisner-Award winning Goon, presenting his life in chronological order for the first time--along with a boxcar-load of extras--all in a handsomely designed (and handsomely priced) signed hardcover. Chronicling the histories of the Zombie Priest, Buzzard, Labrazio, and of course, Goon and Franky, this collection is the perfect introduction to the entire Goon mythos. Eric Powell personally arranged the stories (spanning three publishers and nearly ten years) so that the life of the Goon could be read as one complete story. This hardcover is a must-have for every serious fan of the Goon, containing a comprehensive sketchbook and a three-page, never-before-seen Buzzard story. Collecting self published issues #1, #2 and Dark Horse issues #1, #3, #5, and #9.
184 pages, $24.95, in stores on Oct. 12.
THE GOON #14
Written and art by Eric Powell.
It's well known that a nameless man known to some as the Zombie Priest came to the Goon's burg to build a gang from the dead. But why? Who is he? Where did he come from? What are the origins of his mysterious power? Why has he set loose a plague of zombies? Could it be from emotional problems? Was he breastfed for too long? Was he potty trained too quickly? Would he be a nicer fella if a nice lady friend baked him a cake? All this and more revealed in this startling tell-all issue!
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 21.
HELLSING: IMPURE SOULS ANIME MANGA TPB
Written and art by Kohta Hirano.
A secret war brews in the night--a war where humanity is only a pawn. The Hellsing Organization deploys in the shadows to protect the mortal world. But now, artificially spawned vampires have appeared, forcing Hellsing to call in their ultimate weapon--the rogue vampire, Alucard. We present Hellsing: Impure Souls Anime Manga, adapted from the popular anime series, now in book form for your sustained joy and dread.
160 pages, $14.95, in store son Oct. 26.
JACK HIGHTOWER TPB
Written by Will Vinton and Andrew Wiese, art by Fabio Laguna.
Secret agent Jack Hightower was at the height of his career when something BIG happened. Now the world-class uber-operative and infamous ladies man is seeing things from a whole new perspective ... a very, very different perspective, to say the least.
Tall, daring, and handsome, Jack had it all--a stellar career, beautiful women, and more power and influence than he could shake a supermodel at. But despite it all, Jack longed for one thing that eluded him--the capture of his long-time archnemesis, Dr. Litigious Savant. On the fateful night when Jack's dream of cornering the elusive Savant is realized, things go terribly, dreadfully wrong, and Jack gets cut down to size by one of the doctor's insidious inventions ... the size of your average action figure, to be exact.
136 pages, $12.95, in stores on Oct. 12.
LITTLE LULU: LETTERS TO SANTA TPB
Written by John Stanley, art by Irving Tripp.
For 8-year-old Lulu Moppet, nothing is impossible--even if the results of her efforts are impossibly imperfect. Need to quell the fury of a rambunctious two-year-old? Lulu's got a hilarious fairy tale brewing in her brain that'll do just the trick. Father needs his best suit taken to the tailor? Lulu can handle it--so long as Pop doesn't mind if she makes a few unplanned--and wholly unpredictable!--stops along the way. Have a wayward ghost in your house who needs a new home? Lulu's your girl.
200 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on Oct. 12.
OH MY GODDESS VOLUME 1 TPB
Written and art by Kosuke Fujishima.
Alone in his dorm on a Saturday night, Nekomi Tech's Keiichi Morisato dials a wrong number that will change his life forever--reaching the Goddess Technical Help Line. Granted one wish by the charming young goddess Belldandy--a wish for anything in the world--Keiichi wishes she would stay with him always! Complications are bound to ensue from this; the immediate first being the new couple getting tossed out of the dorm--it's males only.
As the hapless student and his mysterious "foreign beauty" ride around looking for a new place to stay--risking the different dangers of seeking shelter with an otaku convinced Belldandy is an imaginary woman, and a Zen priest convinced she's a sinister witch--Keiichi's still got his classes on Monday morning! How is his new "exchange student" companion going to be received on the N.I.T. campus? A little too well for normal life to ever return ...
192 pages, black and white, $10.95, in stores on Oct. 12.
REVELATIONS #2
Written by Paul Jenkins, art and cover by Humberto Ramos, colored by Leonardo Olea.
Detective Charlie Northern delves deeper into the secret workings of the Vatican as he tries to unravel the strange death of a highly influential cardinal, only to discover that someone is trying to sabotage his investigation. Luckily, Northern finds an ace up his sleeve--lawyer and Vatican insider Lucille Pellicica who has taken an interest in him. Yet, in underground catacombs, ancient rituals are being acted out, hidden in the darkness from Northern's prying eyes.
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 28.
ROCCO VARGAS: WALKING WITH MONSTERS HC
Written and art by Daniel Torres.
Shape-shifting robots! An interstellar conspiracy! Who can be trusted? Rocco Vargas betrayed! In the world of the future, the solar-system's most renowned science-fiction writer is but the alter-ego of the galaxy's greatest adventurer, the suave swashbuckler Rocco Vargas. Coming to the aid of embattled shape-changing "biomecs," Rocco finds himself at the center of mayhem on Mars, with the fate of the mecs--and his own freedom--hanging in the balance. Created by legendary cartoonist Daniel Torres, Rocco Vargas is stylish, rousing graphic fiction that is sure to be all the rage on the most exclusive space stations and off-world colonies.
48 pages, $14.95, in stores on Sept. 7.
SAMURAI: HEAVEN AND EARTH TPB
Written by Ron Marz, art by Luke Ross and Jason Keith.
Beginning in feudal Japan of 1704, Samurai: Heaven & Earth follows Shiro, a lone samurai warrior sworn to be reunited with the love of his life who has been spirited away by his enemies. His pursuit of Yoshiko will carry him farther than he could have imagined ---from his native Japan to the sprawling empire of China, across Europe, and finally to Paris itself. There, in the fabled halls of King Louis XIV's Versailles, he must cross blades with the greatest swordsmen ever known if he is to reclaim his love.
Ron Marz and artist Luke Ross, fresh off their triumphant finale on Green Lantern, have turned their skills to a historical epic in the tradition of Lone Wolf and Cub and Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers. Joined by Eisner-nominated colorist Jason Keith, they have produced a lushly illustrated tale of devotion and high adventure.
120 pages, $14.95, in stores on Oct. 26.
SAMURAI EXECUTIONER VOLUME 8 TPB
Written by Kazuo Koike, art by Goseki Kojima.
Spring is a season of rebirth, or new life springing forth, a time of cherished blooming and delightful scents. But for Kubikira Asa, there is no spring delight. The Edo-era samurai crime drama by Lone Wolf and Cub creators Koike and Kojima continues down its path of heinous crime and diligent, bloody justice.
Spring may come to the innocent, but to those condemned to lose their heads to Asa's sword, it will be their last.
304 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on Nov. 30.
SERENITY #3
Written by Joss Whedonand Brett Matthews, penciled by Will Conrad, colored by Laura Martin, covers by Leinil Yu, Joshua Middleton and Sean Phillips.
Just looking to earn themselves a little bit of peace on the edges of the galaxy, the crew of the ship Serenity have landed themselves in a big, fat trap. Now, it's up to this motley bunch of mercenaries and fugitives to fight their way free from the grips of a nasty bunch of covert-operatives known as the Blue Gloves. Get ready for hot action in the cold reaches of space as Joss Whedon and Brett Matthews deliver the brain-exploding conclusion to this comic prequel of Whedon's Serenity feature-film--the uber-anticipated follow-up to his cult-hit TV show Firefly. This final issue features three seperate covers by some of comics hottest artists--Leinil Yu, Joshua Middleton, and Sean Phillips.
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 7.
SIN CITY PLAYING CARDS
Comics legend Frank Miller lent his distinctive noir style to a deck of cards that will prove a winner every time! The back of each card features an illustration of Nancy in all her glory, and memorable images from the town without pity decorate each and every card. Pack includes 52 plastic coated cards and two jokers.
$4.99, in stores on Aug. 17.
STAR WARS: EMPIRE #37
Written by Welles Hartley, art and colored by Davide Fabbri, inked by Christian Dalla Vecchia, cover by David Michael Beck.
"The Wrong Side of the War" part 2 of 5. In his new post as prison guard at the Imperial base on Kalist IV, Lt. Janek Sunber is forced to weigh what he knows he should do against what he can do when he comes up against the corrupt status quo.
But conflict with his fellow officers is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to challenges facing the young lieutenant. Unbeknownst to the Empire, the Rebels have infiltrated the base.
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Sept. 7.
STAR WARS: REPUBLIC #81
Written by John Ostrander, art and cover by Jan Duursema, inked by Dan Parsons, colored by Brad Anderson.
"The Hidden Enemy," part 1 of 3. The first issue of a three-part story that begins during the events of Revenge of the Sith, and reveals a battle that was not shown in that film! The Separatist attack on the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyyk demands a strong response from the Republic, and Jedi Masters Luminara Unduli and Quinlan Vos arrive with their clone armies. But there may be more behind the Separatist attack--and more to the Wookiee's defense--than the Jedi know. Old friends, new enemies, and lots of action!
32 pages, $2.99, in Sept. 28.
STAR WARS: X-WING--ROGUE LEADER #1
Written by Haden Blackman, penciled by Tomás Giorello, colored by Michael Atiyeh, cover by Gary Erskine.
In the wake of the death of the Emperor and the destruction of the Death Star II, a group of Rebel pilots are looking forward to some well-deserved R & R. Instead, they run into a deadly attack by vengeful Imperials that changes the course of all of their lives.
Rev up your engines--it's time for the Rogue Squadron to fly again! Join Luke Skywalker, Wedge Antilles, and the rest of the Rogues on a mission that will define them as heroes not just of the Rebellion, but as heroes for the whole galaxy!
