DB PRO FOR JULY

ANITA BLAKE VAMPIRE HUNTER: GUILTY PLEASURES #1

Written by Laurell K. Hamilton, adapted by Stacie M. Ritch, art and covers by Brett Booth.

In a world where Vampires, Zombies and Werewolves have been declared legal citizens of the United States, Anita Blake is an "animator" -- a profession that involves raising the dead for mourning relatives. But Anita is also known as a fearsome hunter of criminal vampires, and she's often employed to investigate cases that are far too much for conventional police. But as Anita gains the attention of the vampire masters of her hometown of St. Louis, she also risks revealing an intriguing secret about herself -- the source of her unusual strength and power.

Anita is apprehensive about being approached by a vampire to investigate a series of gruesome murders -- after all, she'd rather have nothing to do with anything baring fangs. But a bachelorette party at the "Guilty Pleasures" nightclub brings her into contact with a whole group of vampires -- including one who won't take "no" for an answer. But with her weapons and holy items checked at the door, can Anita withstand his power?

$2.95 or $5.95.

ORSON SCOTT CARD'S RED PROPHET TALES OF ALVIN MAKER #5

Written Orson Scott Card, adapted by Roland Bernard Brown, art by Renato Arlem, covers by Arlem and John Buxom.

Alvin Miller is 10 years old now, and on his way to begin his apprenticeship in Hatrack as a blacksmith. But as he and his brother Measure travel east, they're kidnapped by a group of Indians who have anything but good intentions. Alvin isn't afraid, of course; being a Maker, he's more than a match for any threat these men might pose. But can Alvin keep his brother safe until some unexpected help arrives?

$2.95 or $5.95.

ORSON SCOTT CARD'S WYRMS #3

Written by Orson Scott Card, adapted by Jake Black, art by Adriano Batista.

Patience feels the urgency of the Cranning Call, but she is forced to stop when her bodyguard, Angel, is seriously wounded in a bandit attack. Rumor has it that a gebling healer may be able to save Angel's life, but only if Angel can wait long enough for the healer to return. But what will happen when the geblings realize the true purpose of Patience's quest?

$2.95 (sketch variant, $5.95).

MARSHAL #4

Written by Bill Tortolini and Andrew LoVuolo, art and Cover by Abdul Rashid.

The first saga of the Marshal arrives at its epic conclusion as surprises surface at every turn. The Marshal has fought long and hard to avenge his father and thwart the evil intentions of the Merkaid Corporation. But will an especially shocking revelation change his perspective forever?

$2.95.

RAYMOND E. FEIST'S MAGICIAN APPRENTICE #4

Written by Raymond E. Feist, adapted by Michael Avon Oeming, and Bryan J. L. Glass, art by Brett Booth, covers by Booth.

The Riftwar has begun! Pug and Tomas have discovered the wreckage of a strange ship from another world, and a dying captive offers information about the Tsurani, the mysterious invaders who have been secretly scouting the world of Midkemia. The court of Crydee is sobered by this revelation, and prepares for battle immediately. But can they warn the rest of the kingdom before the invasion occurs?

$2.95 (wraparound, $5.95).

MONTE COOK'S PTOLUS #3

Written by Monte Cook, art and cover by Caanan White.

Sheva Callister continues to make her way through the mysterious city of Ptolus on a quest to find a brooch, but her quest now takes her into a series of tombs and crypts that almost certainly spell death for her and her companions. And even if they can survive the tomb's traps and skeleton armies, do they have any chance against the powerful Lich king that lies below?

$2.95.

MICHAEL LENT'S PREY ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES #2

Written by Mike Raicht, art by Alex Sanchez.

The Prometheus Corporation has unearthed a terrible creature, and it's on a rampage, killing without discrimination. But as a marine biologist works to learn more about the creature -- and find a way to stop it! -- the corporation works to cover its tracks and keep the killings from being linked to its activities.

$2.95.