DARK HORSE COMICS FOR APRIL

AEON FLUX TPB

Written by Mike Kennedy, art by Timothy Green.

Four hundred years in the future, the last of Humanity will live behind the protective walls of Bregna, an idyllic utopia built to shelter them from the deadly jungle growing beyond. Life in Bregna is perfect, or as perfect as the government can make the people believe. But not everyone is fooled by their mood-altering propaganda--a small band of freedom fighters wish to see things change, and they just might manage to pull off this impossible dream with the help of their top secret agent, the sexy, deadly Aeon Flux. As Bregnan authorities prepare a new weapon to use against the jungle pounding at their walls, Aeon prepares to turn their plans against them. But this time she is not alone--she has been instructed to train a new agent, a fiery young woman named Sithandra, who may not be all that she appears . . . Collecting the four-issue mini-series.

96 pages, $12.95, in stores on May 17.

ARCHENEMIES #1

Written by Drew Melbourne, penciled by Yvel Guichet, inked by Joe Rubinstein, colored by Rick Hiltbrunner, lettered by Jim Keplinger.

Ethan has no idea that Vincent, his roommate, is the villainous Underlord. Vincent has no clue that Ethan is the superhero called Star Fighter. In their costumed identities, they're mortal enemies, but as Ethan and Vincent they're the best of . . . wait, NO, as Ethan and Vincent they still hate each other's guts. Can comics' ultimate, super-powered odd couple keep their secrets secret and learn to live together in peace? ArchEnemies is high-concept superhero action comedy drama times eleven. In our debut issue, it's a battle of wills as Ethan and Vincent try to drive each other out of the apartment and off the lease. But, in a moment of weakness, will one roommate go too far? [SPOILER ALERT: Yes. Yes, he will.]

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on April 5.

BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #112

Written and art by Hiroaki Samura.

"On the Perfection of Anatomy," part 1 of 6. Yamada Asaemon, the Shogun's executioner and sword tester, arrives at Burando's request! Known as Kubikiri Asa, the legend of this historical figure is explored in Dark Horse's Samurai Executioner series, and his presence will certainly be felt in Blade of the Immortal! Medical examiner Burando continues his studies on limb transfers and Manji's immortal body, with the hope that Asaemon's deadly, precise skills can quicken the pace! Hiroaki Samura's wild samurai ride takes a darker turn, as his horrific "On the Perfection of Anatomy" story arc begins! This issue also sports a beautiful, wraparound Rin cover, painted by Samura.

32 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on April 12.

B.P.R.D. THE UNIVERSAL MACHINE #1

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

After their catastrophic encounter with the monster-god Katha Hem, the B.P.R.D. begin the work of trying to pick up the pieces and rebuild the team. Kate Corrigan travels to rural France in search of an ancient text that might undo the death of Roger, while back at B.P.R.D. Headquarters, Captain Daimio finally reveals the truth about his own death. Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, with artist Guy Davis and co-writer John Arcudi, launch the five-part series that will determine the future of the B.P.R.D., while revealing key secrets about their past.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on April 5.

CONAN #27

Written by Kurt Busiek, penciled by Tim Truman, colored by Dave Stewart, cover by Tony Harris.

Double-barreled action as two tales intertwine! In one, Conan leads a daring raid in the high mountain ranges of the East for the prize of a new-minted crown. Is this the beginning of Conan's kingdom, or will treachery and guile bring him down? In the other storyline, the Prince and his Wazir face turmoil on the empire's border, and must punish a daring rebel--but is it justice? How the two tales, set centuries apart, affect one another make for surprise twists and a unique showdown that sets the stage for serious trouble to come. Part two of a two-parter drawn by Tim Truman. Two stories, two leads, and two fateful choices.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on April 19.

CONAN: BOOK OF THOTH #2

Written by Kurt Busiek and Len Wein, art and cover by Kelley Jones, colored by Michelle Madsen.

The young acolyte Thoth-amon rises quickly through the priestly ranks of Ibis as one by one his fellows fall victim to grisly deaths by an unseen hand. Bewildered and powerless to halt the carnage, one priest fears he has discovered the source of the evil encroaching upon the city, only to learn that the truth is far more horrifying than anyone could have imagined. Meanwhile, the citizens of Memphia are losing faith in the ability of Ibis to protect them, and rumors are spreading of a far more powerful and ancient deity--the snake-god Set.

48 pages, $4.99, in stores on April 19.

CONAN VOLUME 3: THE TOWER OF THE ELEPHANT AND OTHER STORIES TPB & HC

Written by Kurt Busiek, penciled by Cary Nord and Michael Wm. Kaluta, colored by Dave Stewart.

Continuing Dark Horse's best-selling Conan series with an adaptation of one of Robert E. Howard's greatest Conan tales, "The Tower of the Elephant." Fed up with both civilization and mysticism, Conan travels to the infamous City of Thieves to take out his frustrations. When a bar fight uncovers the legend of the impregnable Tower of the Elephant, he becomes determined to rob it, setting out on a quest unlike any he's undertaken--one that will involve new comrades, sudden death, horrifying creatures, and gruesome unsettling fates for both gods and men. Collecting Conan #0, #16-17, #19-22.

Hardcover, 168 pages, $24.95, in stores on May 17.

Softcover, 168 pages, $15.95, in stores on June 21.

CONCRETE VOLUME 5: THINK LIKE A MOUNTAIN TPB

Written and art by Paul Chadwick.

Celebrity has its benefits . . . and its costs. Due to his status as the world's most unusual travel writer--being a thousand pounds of walking, talking rock will do that--Concrete is approached by a group of radical eco-warriors to see firsthand and write about their efforts to save old-growth forest. What begins as a lark soon turns into a harrowing struggle, and Concrete must decide whether to dispassionately observe or to join these people who would risk anything, even life itself, to save the planet.

Paul Chadwick's critically acclaimed Concrete is at once rousing fantasy and grounded reality, as thought-provoking and challenging as it is entertaining. Think Like a Mountain collects the 1996 Parents' Choice Award winning series along with bonus short stories, some collected here for the first time. This volume collects Think Like a Mountain #1-6; short stories: "Like Disneyland, Only Toxic," "Stay Tuned for Pearl Harbor," "A Billion Conscious Decisions," "Objects of Value," "Steel Rain," various "A Sky of Heads" stories.

208 pages, black and white, $12.95, in stores on May 24.

THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON: TIME'S BLACK LAGOON NOVEL

Written by Paul Di Filippo.

In 1954, deep in the Amazon Jungle, an expedition found what they assumed was one of those missing links in the chain of human evolution: an immensely powerful amphibian creature that seemed to step out of the mists of time. They tried to tame it, to break its will, to change its very being with surgery and torture, but the beast rebelled, killing almost all who stood in its way. But was the creature truly a throwback, a survivor of some prehistoric time before time . . . or was it something more?

In the year 2015 one scientist will try to answer those questions, using a time machine to pierce the veil of history and journey back to the distant Devonian era. What he finds there will not only splinter his vision of what the Creature might be, but may very well change the history of the human race forever!

Bending the conventions of what we feel we know about the Creature from the Black Lagoon on its ear, critically praised science fiction author Paul Di Filippo reinvents the classic monster with a tale of time travel, horror, and mystery that mixes the best elements of 1950s Cold War science-fiction with today's cutting-edge cyberpunk in a vision of what terrors still lurk . . . in the swamp.

275 pages, $6.99, in stores on June 14.

DREADFUL ED HC

Written by Andrew Cosby, art by Troy Nixey, colored by Dave Stewart.

Poor Ed! What's a normal kid like him doing in a place like Nocturnia? He's supposed to be the heir to the throne of his dastardly dad--otherwise known as the Boogeyman himself, Silas Grimm! But Ed just isn't cut out for the work. Quiet, gentle, and altogether unspooky, it appears to everyone that Ed will never have what it takes to rule the land of nightmares and dark deeds.

Rather than giving up on his only heir, Silas ships Ed off to fright school, hoping his woefully un-strange little boy will learn the skills befitting of the next Boogeyman. Instead, Ed ends up learning something about himself that will shock everyone -- everyone, that is except the mother who switched him at birth!

56 pages, $12.95, in stores on May 24.

EDEN: IT'S AN ENDLESS WORLD! VOLUME 3 TPB

Written and art by Hiroki Endo.

The most action-filled Eden yet! In this shocking volume, character revelations and intense battlefield decisions punctuate a roller-coaster, book-length conflict. With new, cyber-augmented Propater villains (the Aeon soldiers) making a vicious debut, the mysterious Colonel tries to keep his ragtag group of freedom fighters alive. Kenji cuts a path through armored soldiers, and Cheribum and Sophia suffer serious setbacks. Kachua and Wycliffe make their way through secret Incan tunnels, not knowing what horrors lie in the daylight. If you thought that the previous Eden volume had a cliffhanger ending, you'll be blown away by the final pages of this thrilling ride! Hiroki Endo's Eden is a garden of violence, pathos, and philosophy, where endearing heroes face a constant struggle for survival and violent surprises wait around every corner.

224 pages, black and white, $12.95.

GOON #17

Written and art by Eric Powell.

Things have taken a turn for the worst in the battle for control of Lonely Street. The Zombie Priest's new army of monstrosities is quickly overrunning the town, destroying everything in sight. Their mission: destroy Goon and Buzzard. As the pair struggle to survive the attack of these new nasty little creatures, Goon begins to wonder if perhaps Buzzard isn't sharing all he knows.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on April 19.

GUNGRAVE ARCHIVE ARTBOOK

Based on the game created by Yasuhiro Nightow, created by Softbank Editorial Division

First a hit first-person-shooter video game in Japan, Gungrave moved overseas to become an American Playstation 2 favorite as well before finally making the move to become a popular anime in both countries. Dark Horse is proud to bring America the works of Yasuhiro Nightow, and the artbook Gungrave Archives offers a new piece of the manga master's growing portfolio of works.

And Nightow's additions are only a part of the wide range of materials in this special, double-size artbook set. Already available as separate, untranslated books, Archives brings them together completely translated, at a more reasonable price, in equally high-quality binding, and featuring two pull-out posters!

And completely unavailable in either book--photographs of an exclusive Grave figure, custom made by famed figure modeler Takayuki Takeda! This is the only chance to see this model, as it will never see production. Also included is a short interview with Takeda about his challenges creating the exclusive custom figure.

256 pages, $19.95, in stores on June 14.

JU-ON VOLUME 2 TPB

Originally written by Takashi Shimizu. Manga adaptation by Meimu,

The bloody and vengeful grudge of Ju-On returns in this manga sensation from Japan! The landmark horror film franchise is captured in comics form, opening on a gruesome and tantalizing series of images from an operating room, a lightning storm, gory medical instruments, and a single witness to the scene and whatever lies on the table.

Cut to peaceful scenes of everyday life that are taking place in and around a familiar apartment complex. But what eerie presence sits just below the surface, itching to manifest itself and take out its deep-seated rage on innocents? What could have caused such hatred, and why is the spirit terrorizing again? The chilling answer to these questions is found in the pages of Ju-On Volume 2.

136 pages, black and white, $9.99, in stores on May 24.

NEXUS ARCHIVES VOLUME 3 HC

Written by Mike Baron, art by Steve Rude.

This latest collection of the landmark sci-fi series re-presents the original Nexus issues twelve through eighteen from First Comics--an indispensable storyline in the history of Horatio Hellpop's plagued existence. Wracked by inescapable, visceral nightmares of the grave misdeeds of his next targets, the executioner Nexus turns to the only solution he can--a life-threatening procedure that places an implant in his brain! This implant will prevent the dreams that Horatio has endured for years, but at what price? His behavior changes, and the ensuing emotional isolation pushes Sundra and her booming solar sailcraft business back to Mars. Spy Ursula X. X. Imada resurfaces with Horatio's twin daughters, and Clonezone the Hilariator is up to his usual mischief and misadventures! This collection also features a story about the Hammer, Judah Maccabee, illustrated by the famed Oz artist Eric Shanower. Collects issues #12-18 from Volume 3 (First Comics).

216 pages, $49.95, in stores on May 24.

SCARY BOOK VOLUME 2: INSECTS TPB

Written and art by Kazuo Umezu.

Kazuo Umezu returns with the second frightening volume of his Scary Book anthology series. In "Butterfly Grave," a book-length feature story, ever since the mysterious and untimely death of her mother when she was still an infant, Megumi has had an inexplicable, devastating phobia of butterflies. Upon visiting her mother's grave years after her death, Megumi begins being haunted by a black butterfly that only she can see and which seemingly causes waves of destruction and misery to Megumi's family and friends wherever it appears. But when Megumi's father decides to remarry, Megumi begins to fear that her new mother is turning into the very thing she dreads most.

232 pages, black and white, $13.95, in stores on May 10.

SPACE PINCHY: THE LABORATORY OF LOVE

Written and art by Tony Takezaki.

It seems it's not possible for poor Pinchy to stay out of trouble. At the beginning of each story, it seems she's in some kind of fix! But not this time. Nope. Now she's visiting a retro mecha display of the seemingly undestroyable Captain Star! However, I'm sure by the time this issue's over, Pinchy will find some kind of trouble, either with a giant robot, that pesky Robo King, or something else. For instance, what exactly is this "laboratory of love"? From the wacked-out manga mind of Japan's Tony Takezaki comes Space Pinchy, a story about a female space adventurer who won't accept failure, and will probably never find a decent alien boyfriend.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on April 19.

STAR WARS: HONOR AND DUTY TPB

Written by John Ostrander, penciled by C.P. Smith and Luke Ross, inked by Jasen Rodriguez, colored by Digital Chameleon and Steve Firchow.

Watch the fall of the Republic through the eyes of Sagoro Autem--Senate Guard, mercenary, prisoner, Clone Wars hero, and Imperial target--in a story that spans from before the Clone Wars to the first mission of Darth Vader!

Young Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker -- his even younger Padawan -- protect a senator from assassination attempts. Joining the Jedi in their mission is Autem, loyal Senate Guard. Yet, as Obi-Wan and Anakin fend off a league of master assassins, Autem discovers a link between the killers that will change his own life forever--a secret he will not be able to face until the Clone Wars have come and gone, and he finds himself on the run from the new Emperor's enforcer, Darth Vader! Collecting issues #46-48 and #78 of Star Wars Republic.

96 pages, $12.96, in stores on May 10.

STAR WARS KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC #4

Written by John Jackson Miller, penciled by Brian Ching, colored by Michael Atiyeh, cover by Travis Charest.

On the run and desperate to clear his name, fugitive Padawan Zayne Carrick guides his ragtag crew of scoundrels toward a treacherous asteroid moon, returning to the site of a significant moment in his Jedi training and to what he hopes will reveal the reason the entire Republic seems out to get him. The answers only lead to more riddles, however, and before they can fully interpret the information they've stumbled upon, the band of outcasts are assailed by yet another threat. And perhaps most surprising of all, their party grows by one as a new character enters the fray!

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on April 26.

STAR WARS: REBELLION -- MY BROTHER, MY ENEMY #1

Written by Rob Williams, art by Brandon Badeaux.

Seeking to exploit a fatal flaw in the Rebel fleet's escape strategies, the Empire plants a sleeper agent in the Alliance's midst and sets into motion a series of events that will have devastating consequences for Luke Skywalker and his companions. Meanwhile, Darth Vader's own agenda runs counter to the Empire's schemes, and he's ensnared Lt. Janek Sunber to carry out a secret mission that will lead the idealistic Imperial officer straight into the heart of the Rebellion.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on April 12.

STAR WARS: TAG & BINK EPISODE I -- REVENGE OF THE CLONE MENACE

Written by Kevin Rubio, art by Luca Marangon.

Behold, the long-awaited prequel to the Tag & Bink saga! Many a Star Wars fan has lain awake at night, plagued by suspense and wondering just how this infamous Rebel pair came to be. Well wonder no more, faithful readers! Your plague has ended with this tell-all issue that caps the space-opera legend, courtesy of fan-favorite Star Wars creators Kevin Rubio and Lucas Marangon.

The origin story of our hapless heroes begins on their respective planets, Alderaan and Corellia. These future soldiers of the Rebel Alliance are sized up for Padawan potential, and we are treated to a rare inside look at the rigorous mental and physical training undergone by aspiring Knights in the Jedi Temple! Mace Windu, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the elder Fett each have a role in the miseducation of Tag and Bink, but despite all this schoolin', the two decide that spying on Padme and "the Chosen One" is a pretty good idea . . .

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on April 26.

TRIGUN MAXIMUM VOLUME 9 TPB

Written and art by Yasuhiro Nightow.

This is the story of Nicholas Wolfwood and Livio, two boys for whom friendship was brief, but still burned deep into their boyhood consciences. Those bits and pieces, though full of light, are mere shadows to these men of guns and blood and violence.

Yes, in this volume of Trigun, our hero Vash takes a bit of a rest, and he certainly deserves one. So, now we'll study a boyhood relationship, one that, in this very volume, just might come to a destructive and angry end. Though, it may be a bit tough for either one of these "friends" to knock each other off. They both have secrets up their sleeves, and Livio, well he might even have an extra sleeve!

As always, published in the ever-popular non-westernized format, with Yasuhiro Nightow's commentary in the back and the comical original black-and-white covers printed on the inside.

200 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on May 3.

USAGI YOJIMBO #93

Written and art by Stan Sakai.

World-renowned storyteller Stan Sakai explores a very important part of Japanese culture in this special issue of Usagi Yojimbo. After an eventful stay, the time has come for Usagi to continue his wandering travels and bid farewell to the Geishu Province. Before he goes, he and Tomoe will first partake in the chanoyu--the formal tea ceremony. But is there something besides tea brewing between the two of them? Meanwhile, unbeknownst to either of the pair, arrangements are being made for Tomoe's marriage.

This unusual issue explores the stylized, spiritual event of the tea ceremony, which epitomizes the feeling of Zen. Sakai's attention to the historical details of Usagi's feudal environment is a hallmark of the series, and this focus is highlighted this month in "Chanoyu"!

24 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on April 26.