Comics News: Dark Horse Gathers DeConnick, Sebela & Sook

       Announced by Dark Horse yesterday at SDCC 2013, the indy company revealed that they are releasing a new "Ghost" ongoing series. The new ongoing will be written by recent reboot miniseries scribe Kelly Sue DeConnick, joined by new co-writer Christopher Sebela and artist Ryan Sook.

"Ghost" follows a deceased reporter named Elisa Cameron who was murder through supernatural means, yet returns to earth in a not fully physical body. DeConnick and Sebela promised that they are picking up from the ending of the original miniseries,trying to find out more about Elisa and also, they found 32 crystals which represent 32 demons that are disguised as humans on Earth. So Elisa, alongside her supporting cast, will be hunting down these demons.

Both writers also stated that Elisa will be working alongside Vaughn and the others to piece together about her past as well as the mystery of the mayor after a demon was exercised from him.

Ghost # 1, written by Kelly Sue DeConnick & Christopher Sebela with art by Ryan Sook, will hit shelves in November.

CoW: Cover of the Week 1/2/13

Colder #3

Ah.... The first CoW of the new year. Are your lips salivating for some malty goodness? No? Good cause there were more innuendos laced in that question than expected. All that aside, the Golden Udder goes to Colder #3 this week. The hands on the cover are creepy as all hell; pulling and tugging at the body of this lass. But it was really the logo that pulled me to the cover. It is clear and simple yet still stylish. I also like how all the writing on the cover is on a slant with the logo. Even the Dark Horse emblem seems like its slightly askew. Nice job guys.

First Impressions: Hellboy In Hell # 1

HELLBOY IN HELL #1
Written by Mike Mignola
Art by Mike Mignola & Dave Stewart
Dark Horse Comics 


FLIPPING THROUGH:

     We get a recap of what happened and how Hellboy died: (yes, he's dead) and find that someone wants to bring him back to life. Hellboy, in the meantime, ends up fighting on the edge just outside Hell as he is soon chased. And he travels along, fighting bugs and a person who wants to kill ... destroy him, Hellboy ends up being put right in the middle of a Christmas Carol. Yep. I am not kidding. Scrooge and Jim Marley make appearances.

   And we get a cliffhanger dealing with a certain spirit.


ART:

     Mignola's pencils and inks are truly at their best here. Hellboy in all his glory just outside Hell. The heavy inks and the sharp pencils really give us an idea of how passionate Mignola is about giving this story. The darker tones used by Stewart during this issue really help bring readers into another world. This area is not bright. It's not happy.  So all the darker tones help really set the mood and tone for the story. Kudos to Mignola and Stewart for their art work.

WRITING:

    This issue was an interesting jump on point. We are following the main character after he died. He's outside of Hell right now. Which begs the question as to when will he be in Hell. Yet, we don't know when that will happen. Hellboy, as a character, seems to be going through this as business as usual. And it does ring true to his character ... he's dead and he's taking it awfully well.

    The mysteries around Sir Edward and Eligos were intriguing. It definitely pulls in the reader to want to know more. Though there is something that confused me.The puppet show of a Christmas Carol. I still only kind of understand why that was used but still makes me scratch my head as to was to why that was used.  Was it solely for the spirit? In which case, I find the irony in it but a bit forced, in my opinion. And I will give Mignola credit for having limited dialogue within the book. It was a fast read but felt like a complete issue.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

    Hellboy in Hell was a good first issue but not a great first issue. We know the background of the character through a synopsis. The situation is interesting and there are mysteries.Is this plot going to proceed Dante's Inferno like? Not sure. But the use of a Christmas Carol seemed odd and Hellboy is outside of Hell  right now. So, the title feels a little misleading but there are things that make me look forward to the next issue. Artistically, it was awesome.


I give Hellboy in Hell #1  a 3.5 out of 5. 

Countdown: Top 10 # 1s of 2012

     Hey everyone within the Infinite. It's EIC/President Frankie Rodriguez. 2012 has turned out to be quite a year. BI sprang from Comic Book Clash, which was under J1 Studios and we decided to step out onto our own. Last year, after the rise of the New 52, I created a countdown of the Top 10 #1s of that year. Well .... a year has passed. Things have come and gone. Marvel NOW has been rolling deep and the New 52 is still here ... with some differences. Image Comics and indie comics in general were dealing with a brand new renassience. And some other companies made their way up and/or back ... like Valiant and IDW.

So, now we get down to the great #1s of this year. Just to point this out, there have been a SLEW of new books. I have read more comics books this year than I have had in any other year since I started reading comics some 21 years ago.

  This list will definitely be a bit more diverse than last years. But get ready cause you are gonna be in for a great ride.

 Honorable Mentions: 
Team 7 #1 
The Crow # 1
Avengers vs X-Men # 1
Colder # 1 
I Love trouble # 1 
 Thor: God of Thunder # 1 
World's finest # 1
Clone # 1 
Thief of Thieves #1
Archer & Armstrong #1 





10 - TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
     Written by James Roberts
     Art by Nick Roche     IDW Publishing

    This was definitely one of the most fun books that came out this year. When IDW restarted the Transformers books as 2 ongoing series, I was excited. I have had a long time love of the series and had been enjoying what IDW has been doing with the franchise for the last several years. Well, now ... this book just was pure fun. It has it's share of mystery. It has it's share of Shakespearan-like thoughts. And it has one of the funniest casts since the original JLI comics from the late 80s-90s.  The crew of the Lost Light, led by rodimus, are off on a quest and the crew is zany and awesome.  This book started off the year with a smile while giving Prowl some heat that seems to be going on with Cyclops. Roberts and Roche send off the crew of the Lost Light in style ... and laughter.



# 9 - X-O MANOWAR # 1
        Written by Robert Vendetti
         Art by Cary Nord
        Valiant Comics

        Valiant has returned. And it has come back strong. This was the first book to be brought back under the Valiant banner and we are all the better for it. X-O Manowar is one of Valiant's most well known figures, even having a game with Iron Man in the 90s. Aric returns as a Visgoth fighting the Roman Empire until the Vine come in and make his conflict worse. Aric is brash. Aric is an amazing warrior. But Aric is also hot headed. And that actually adds to his charm. The set up of the first issue really help build upon our hero who is far from perfect and loves to fight while also setting up a conflict with the Vine. It was a brand new beginning and Vendetti brought his A-game for it. Along with Nord's illustrations, X-O Manowar # 1 opened like an epic movie that was just starting.










#8 -  The HYPERNATURALS # 1
        Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
        Art by Brad Walker & Andres Guinaldo
        BOOM!  Studios 

    Take all the nightmares of Public Relations. Add some DnA space sensibilities with some classic super heroics and modern day writing and you got The Hypernaturals. The team is the universe's big PR super team who fights for justice. And low and behold, they've been around for 100 years. This universe is different, technological based with people having Hyper powers and is very awesome. This is DnA unfiltered and it is awesome. From finding that some of the team had retired to seeing their greatest victory to what may be their greatest shame.   This book opens with mysteries, action and introduces us to some great characters. Ultizing how media treats celebrities in this space epic definitely left an impact. The only reason this  not higher is due to the fact that their FREE COMIC BOOK DAY  story actually is a prologue to this issue.







# 7 - EARTH 2 #1 
        Written by James Robinson
         Art by Nicola Scott
         DC Comics 

     Dear God! Now this was an opening.  Earth 2 started with a bang alright as we see how the DC Trinity of Earth 2 fell. And fell fighting is how they did it. We see Mr. Terrific showing up to this new Earth. And we see the beginnings of what could very well be the Justice Society. Scott's art looked so much sharper and alive with this project and Robinson's writing was exquisite. Once you read Earth 2, you know you had something special there. And you wanted to be there for the whole ride.










# 6 -  CONAN THE BARBARIAN # 1
          Written by Brian Wood
           Art by Becky Cloonan & Dave Stewart
          Dark Horse Comics 

        Conan has been around a long time. But God ... this new #1 was GLORIOUS. Conan being young, brash but very loyal and true. Very much like how he was in the classic novels. Brian Wood takes Conan and really opens with a classic opening that would be fit for a new movie (hint, hint). From Cloonan's darker style, to the prose within the pages to Conan facing the Queen of the Black Coast himself, Conan the Barbarian opened with a fast pace and never let you go. The story really held you as you read it and the visuals helped. It made me so happy to read it. Thank you  to the Conan team.







#5 - AVENGERS ARENA # 1 
       Written by Dennis Hopeless
      Art by Kev Walker
      Marvel Comics 

       What is a book that has only been out 1 week doing on this countdown? Simple. It is one of the ballsiest books Marvel has ever made and it is glorious. I personally was going to stay away from the book. But then I was given the book by a friend who HIGHLY recommended it. So I read it and I was like ... HOLY FRELL! The use of the teen heroes in this book  in a hunger games/ Battle Royale type situation blew me away seeing it. Yet, one of the BIGGEST surprises was Arcade ... who suddenly had power levels comparable to that of a god. And what a mean god Arcade was. Even so much as to making the teens decide which of them was the first to die only to have heart breaking ending to match its furious beginning. And note, Darkhawk & X-23 are among the teens in this situation. So ... things are pretty damn bad for the other teens. Hopeless took his name and attached it to the teens' situation. And boy ... it looks like things will only get worse in this examination of what makes a hero and what makes a human human.






# 4 - BLACKARCE # 1 
        Written by Duffy Boudreau
         Art by Wendell  Cavalcanti
         Image Comics 
   This book was HIGHLY recommended but many within the industry. Which made me take a look at it and I was sooooo happy I did. Blackarce tells a story of man after economic collapse and the divide between upper class and poor became so large that the upper class decided to start their own society without the poor. And the most frightening thing about the books is that IT COULD HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE. Boudreau takes many of things we see in society and blends them in order to build the world that he creates in Blackarce. This world is indeed very possible. And it is enjoyable to read. With Cavalcanti's art alongside it, Blackarce proves itself to be a grand series of scope that I look forward to.



# 3 - SAGA # 1 

   Written by Brian K. Vaughan
  Art by Fiona Staples
  Image Comics
   
     Vaughan came back to comics this year with Saga. And Saga # 1 more than lived up to the hype. The sci-fi adventure mixed elements of fantasy with sci-fi so well. The characters were 3 dimensional and looked breath taking. The story was multi-layered with its sci-fi fantasy goodness while examining racism and the right to love and human rights in general. You can read the book multiple times with a lot of enjoyment. The pacing is excellent. The themes are relatable. This is what reading comics should always feel like: taking mature themes while having fun displaying them and feeling connections to the characters. Truly, a wonder to behold.




# 2 -  ALL-NEW X-MEN # 1 ... &  .... UNCANNY AVENGERS # 1 
       Written by Brian Michael Bendis ... & ... Rick Remender
        Art by Stuart Immonen .......... & ....... John Cassady
        Marvel Comics 

    I could not decide between these 2. I wasn't sure how to rate them. I could not bring myself to choose one over the other. So I didn't. Both All-New X-Men #1 and Uncanny Avengers #1 give you a brand new landscape of the Marvel Universe after the battle with the Dark Phoenix in Avengers vs  X-Men. There is clearly some brand new status quos going around. And what both of these books did was give you some grand explosive action alongside some very personal and shocking moments that immediately make you invested. Both artists in their respective books give it their all to tell tales. In All-New X-Men, we see the divide between Scott's X-Men and Wolverine's X-Men grow beyond any thing we thought possible before. Cyclops has gone straight on attacking humans in order to save mutants if need be. The JGS faculty are not taking this well. And with a  double hit of twists dealing with Beast and the original X-Men, it made for an emotional opening. Then in Uncanny Avengers, we get to see how the others mourn Charles, how Alex Summers is now the better of the Summers brothers in the Marvel Universe. And a great emotional argument between Rogue and Scarlet Witch as Scarlet Witch points out that she's been living Xavier's Dream of co-existence all the time with her as an Avenger while the X-Men seem to wear the outfit but not walk the walk. Both books with strong endings that grip you, this is why they are both in second place.








# 1 - SHADOWMAN # 1 

      Written by Justin Jordon & Patrick Zircher
       Art by Patrick Zircher
       Valiant Comics 

    Out of every book on this list, this was the only book I knew where I was gonna put it on this countdown. After reading it over and over, I knew that Shadowman #1 was something beyond special. With an epic opening, a few mysteries about our hero and his family and the return of one of comics' greatest villains ever, Shadowman has it all.  No other book seem to grip you and feel wonderously real at the same time. From Jack keeping himself a mystery, to the opening of the book with Jack's father fighting Darque, the gorgeous art and tight writing is smart, daring and full of energy. You can tell that Zircher is working on the book of his career in these pages. And his work on writing with Jordon is top notch. I have not felt his enthralled with a comic book since the original volume of the New Warriors, which I collected religiously as a teen. This book breathes what comic books are .... artistic form with great story that makes you feel joy and grips at you from the word go. That is why this book is my top # 1 of 2012.





 And that's our countdown. Agree? Disagree? Feel free to comment below. Thank you for reading and talk to you again soon.


 - Frankie Rodriguez.

Dark Horse November 2012 Solicitation

DARK HORSE November 2012 Solicitation

47 RONIN #1 (of 5)
Mike Richardson (W) and Stan Sakai (A/Cover)
On sale Nov 7
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Among the best-known tales in Japanese history, the legend of the 47 Ronin and their epic mission to avenge their disgraced master epitomizes the samurai code of honor. It has been said, “To know the story of the 47 Ronin is to know Japan.” Retold through the ages, the legend at last comes to comics in a meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated miniseries from Mike Richardson, Stan Sakai, and editorial consultant Kazuo Koike! Recounting this sweeping tale of honor and violence in all its grandeur, chapter one details the tragic incident that would seal the fate of Lord Asano and set forty-seven of his vassals on a years-long path of vengeance!
• A gorgeous new adaptation of Japan’s enduring “national legend”!
• From writer Mike Richardson (The Secret) and artist Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo)!
• Created in consultation with manga giant Kazuo Koike (Lone Wolf and Cub)!
“Sakai’s artwork is still as stellar and simple as you know it to be. His characters own their space on the page and his composition is so effortlessly meaningful.” —ComicBookResources.com

ANGEL & FAITH #16
Christos Gage (W), Rebekah Isaacs (A/Variant cover), Dan Jackson (C), and Steve Morris (Cover)
On sale Nov 28
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Ongoing
Angel’s plan to resurrect Giles inches ever closer toward success. As he and Faith hack their way toward one more magical item to help in their venture, Angel reveals it is time to get the final part of Giles’s soul. But their triumphant return to London holds more than one surprise: first, the revenge-seeking Nadira and the Slayers come calling . . .
• Executive produced by Joss Whedon!
• Follows the events of Buffy Season 8!

BALTIMORE: THE PLAY
Mike Mignola (W), Christopher Golden (W), Ben Stenbeck (A/Cover), Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Nov 21
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
One-shot
A mad playwright puts on a Grand Guignol featuring actors that are real vampires. The evil financer of the play makes a bizarre discovery when he finds out that the playwright is a fraud and the true author is a disembodied head of a famous American author kept in a glass case.
• From Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden!

BILLY THE KID’S OLD TIMEY ODDITIES AND THE ORM OF LOCH NESS #2 (of 4)
Eric Powell (W), Kyle Hotz (W/A/Cover), Tracy Marsh (W), and Daniel Brown (C)
On sale Nov 14
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
After a narrow escape, Billy and his freaky cohorts arrive at Count Dracula’s in search of their alligator man. They find a welcoming offer of food and a bed, along with a not-so-subtle warning. Will Billy and the biological curiosities fall prey to the count’s charms?
“Eric’s got a gift—if you consider gallows humor an admiral talent, which I do. He’s written some sick stuff here, a number of ‘whoa’ moments, and he’s lucky to have a partner that takes the ‘whoa’ and makes it ‘WHOA!’”—Brian Azzarello (100 Bullets)

B.P.R.D.: 1948 #2 (of 5)
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), Max Fiumara (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Dave Johnson (Cover)
On sale Nov 21
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
As the battle between the atomic-bred monsters and the B.P.R.D. rages in the Utah desert, Professor Bruttenholm and the agents successfully kill one of the beasts and conduct an autopsy with horrifying results.
• Featuring young Hellboy!

B.P.R.D. HELL ON EARTH #101: THE RETURN OF THE MASTER part 4 (of 5)
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), Tyler Crook (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Ryan Sook (Cover)
On sale Nov 28
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Chaos erupts as the B.P.R.D.’s forces are weakened by the crazed Russian scientist and his cult of followers. Meanwhile, the Zinco experiment at the Bureau headquarters reaches a dangerous and unexpected conclusion.
• It’s all going to hell in 2012!
“Dark Horse has been building up to something big for awhile now, and 2012 promises to be a complete game-changer in Mignola's shadow-haunted universe.” —Comics Bulletin

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 9 #15
Jane Espenson (W), Drew Z. Greenberg (W), Karl Moline (P), Ben Dewey (P), Andy Owens (I), Michelle Madsen (C), Phil Noto (Cover), and Georges Jeanty (Variant cover)
On sale Nov 14
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Ongoing
Training has begun, bringing the newest Slayer and Watcher closer together. Will they be ready when they're needed most? The rapidly growing zompire population has overcome a local institution, and our heroes in training must take on the fight of their lives!
Buffy show writers Jane Espenson (Once Upon a Time) and Drew Z. Greenberg (Warehouse 13) reunite in this special two-part story about a young duo coming together to fight the forces of evil and discover their role in this strange, new ’verse.

• Executive produced by Joss Whedon!
• Arc finale!

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SPIKE #4 (of 5)
Victor Gischler (W), Paul Lee (P), Andy Owens (I), Cris Peter (C), Jenny Frison (Cover), and Steve Morris (Variant cover)
On sale Nov 21
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Spike departs from the ruins of Sunnydale—and all those memories—with a demon who wants desperately to return to her home dimension. But with the loss of magic, her connection is lost. Spike, ever the hero, offers to help this mysterious damsel in distress in her journey to find any remnants of magic that might reconnect her to her world.
• Sparks (and punches) fly!

Willow’s own series!

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: WILLOW—WONDERLAND #1 (of 5)
Jeff Parker (W), Brian Ching (P), Jason Gorder (I), Michelle Madsen (C), David Mack (Cover), and Megan Lara (Variant cover)
On sale Nov 7
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
With the disappearance of magic, Willow Rosenberg lost the very thing that made her tick. Armed with Buffy’s broken scythe, and fresh off an adventure with Angel and Faith, Willow is ready to find a solution on her own terms. The world can’t live without magic—and neither can she!
• Willow brings magic back to the Buffyverse!
• Executive produced by Joss Whedon.

THE CREEP #3 (of 4)
John Arcudi (W), Jonathan Case (A), and Tonci Zonjic (Cover)
On sale Nov 14
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Oxel leaves the city on a search for some sort of truth, looking for an old man with a secret, but what he finds is a lonely, frozen horror.
• Cover by Tonci Zonjic (Lobster Johnson, Who is Jake Ellis).
• Drawn by 2012 Eisner Award winner Jonathan Case!
“Jonathan Case keeps things suspenseful”—Wired

CRIMINAL MACABRE: THEY FIGHT BY NIGHT
Steve Niles (W), Chris Mitten (A), Michelle Madsen (C), and Fiona Staples (Cover)
On sale Nov 7
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
One-shot
After Cal McDonald’s recent resurrection into the world of monsters, he’s back to his old game: solving crimes involving creatures that go bump in the night. After a political candidate is mysteriously decapitated on live TV, Cal teams up with his ghoulish sidekick Mo’Lock and an LAPD detective to find out who the culprit is . . . and if it’s connected to the brewing war of darkness.
• The debates turn bloody . . . live on TV!
• Collects four installments from Dark Horse Presents!
• Leads into the epic 30 Days of Night crossover!
“Criminal Macabre has pressed all of my pleasure buttons and has turned me into a smile-faced, gushing fanboy jumping up and down repeatedly while clapping my hands in glee.”—Comics Bulletin

Dark Horse horror gets under your skin!

COLDER #1 (of 5)
Paul Tobin (W) and Juan Ferreyra (A/Cover)
On sale Nov 7
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Declan Thomas’s body temperature is dropping. He never gets sick, never feels pain. An ex-inmate of an insane asylum that was destroyed in a fire, he has the strange ability to step inside a person’s madness and sometimes cure it. He hopes to one day cure his own, but time is running out, because when his temperature reaches zero . . . it’s over.
• From the creative team behind the Falling Skies comic!
• A new horror comic in the vein of Locke & Key and Preacher.

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #10
Brian Wood (W), Declan Shalvey (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Massimo Carnevale (Cover)
On sale Nov 14
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Ongoing
Conan and Bêlit are the undisputed masters of the Western Ocean, their names whispered in fearful awe all along the Black Coast. But when Conan spots a mysterious, derelict ship following them, its horrifying cargo threatens to destroy everything they’ve built and tear them apart!
• From Brian Wood (Northlanders) and Declan Shalvey (Dark Avengers)!
• Wood’s hard-hitting take on the Cimmerian is winning scores of new readers!
“I want more. More of this story. More of the story Brian Wood is telling. This is no longer Robert E. Howard’s Conan; this is Brian Wood’s Conan. And it is good.” —ComicsBulletin.com

CONAN VOLUME 12: THRONE OF AQUILONIA TP
Roy Thomas (W), Mike Hawthorne (P), Dan Panosian (A), John Lucas (I), and Dan Jackson
On sale Jan 23
FC, 152 pages
$19.99
TP, 7" x 10"
Conan finds himself wrapped up in a plot to unseat the king of Aquilonia as his journey down the Road of Kings concludes. But when everything goes wrong, the Cimmerian and his coconspirators become lost in the catacombs beneath the city, surrounded by zombies and monstrous insects, all while a civil war brews above their heads! Also in this volume, an encounter at a tavern lands Conan at the end of every sword in a small port city, in a story leading directly into Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan’s acclaimed Conan the Barbarian! Collecting Conan: Road of Kings #7–#12!
• Now in softcover!

CONAN VOLUME 13: QUEEN OF THE BLACK COAST HC
Brian Wood (W), Becky Cloonan (A), James Harren (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Massimo Carnevale (Cover)
On sale Jan 16
FC, 152 pages
$24.99
HC, 7" x 10"
Kicking off Dark Horse’s sweeping adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s “Queen of the Black Coast,” Conan turns his back on the civilized world and takes to the Western Ocean. Finding first danger and then passion in the arms of the pirate queen Bêlit, the Cimmerian begins a new life of pleasure and pillage along the Black Coast, in this epic of romance and terror! Collect issues #1-#6 of the Conan the Barbarian series.
• A bold new take on the Cimmerian from Brian Wood!
• Great jumping-on point!

CREEPY COMICS: AT DEATH’S DOOR TP
David Lapham (W/A), Jeff Parker (W), Rick Geary (W), Joe R. Lansdale (W), Doug Moench (W), Emily Carroll (W/A), Doselle Young (W), Christopher A. Taylor (W), Timothy Truman (W/A), Ben Truman (W), Peter Bagge (W/A), Dan Braun (W), Jason Shawn Alexander (A), Colleen Coover (A), Rick Geary (A), Nathan Fox (A), Patric Reynolds (A), Mike Vosburg (A), Garry Brown (A), Kyle Baker (A), Dean Ormston (A), Guus Floor (A), and Wilfredo Torres (A)
On sale Jan 9
b&w, 176 pages
$19.99
TP, 7” x 10”
Continuing the terrifying tradition of the odious original, Dark Horse’s Creepy brings a modern flavor to classic horror! In this vicious volume, your dear Uncle Creepy presents over a dozen new spine-tingling stories from twisted talents including David Lapham, Jeff Parker, Doug Moench, Joe R. Lansdale, Jason Shawn Alexander, Timothy Truman, Rick Geary, Colleen Coover, Emily Carroll, Nathan Fox, and more! With so much fear to go around, this awful omnibus is sure to keep you drenched in a cold sweat all the way through! Collecting issues #5–#9 of the series.
“Uncle Creepy should be proud to appear in this book.”

—ComicVine.com

DARK HORSE PRESENTS #18
Carla Speed McNeil (W/A), Caitlín R. Kiernan (W), Jimmy Palmiotti (W), Justin Gray (W), Phil Stanford (W), Peter Hogan (W), Joshua Williamson (W), Colin Lorimer (W/A), Ulises Farinas (W/A), Erick Freitas (W), Richard Corben (A), Steve Lieber (A), Tony Akins (A), Patric Reynolds (A), Steve Parkhouse (A), Victor Ibáñez (A), and Steve Rude (Cover)
On sale Nov 21
FC, 80 pages
$7.99
Ongoing
Captain Midnight strikes! The masked avenger flies into the twenty-first century courtesy of writer Joshua Williamson (Xenoholics, Voodoo) and artist Victor Ibáñez (Rat Catcher). The thrills begin again at the stroke of midnight!
Also, the critically acclaimed Alabaster by Caitlín R. Kiernan and Steve Lieber continues in the pages of DHP!
• A new creator-owned comic from Ulises Farinas! Post-apocalyptic Pokémon!
• Resident Alien returns to the pages of DHP!
• An all-star lineup!
• EISNER AWARD WINNER!

DRAGON AGE: THOSE WHO SPEAK #3 (of 3)
David Gaider (W), Alexander Freed (W), Chad Hardin (A), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Anthony Palumbo (Cover)
On sale Nov 14
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Dragon Age Lead Writer David Gaider brings his newest epic to a revealing conclusion! With her dark past laid bare, the pirate Isabela must resolve to escape this dungeon or lose herself forever, even as King Alistair must take up arms against an old ally if he is to have any hope of uncovering the fate of his father!
• Story by David Gaider, lead writer of Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II!
• Dragon Age II sold over two million copies in its first two months!

DRAGON AGE VOLUME 2: THOSE WHO SPEAK HC
David Gaider (W), Alexander Freed (W), Chad Hardin (A), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Anthony Palumbo (Cover)
On sale Jan 30
FC, 72 pages
$14.99
HC, 7" x 10"
Reluctant monarch King Alistair travels to an empire of evil mages! Accompanied by the pirate captain Isabela and the underworld merchant Varric, Alistair will stop at nothing to uncover the fate of his lost father—even if it means battling an army of cultists singlehanded! The fight turns even more personal as Alistair faces a former ally and Isabela must confront the tragedies of her past while imprisoned in the cultists’ dungeon!
• An essential addition to the Dragon Age canon!

EDGAR ALLAN POE’S THE CONQUEROR WORM
Richard Corben (W/A)
On sale Nov 21
b&w, 32 pages
$3.50
One-shot
A horrifying adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic by comics legend, Richard Corben. A betrayed man hunts down his wife and her lover only to stumble upon a gruesome puppet show based on his life.
• Poe in comics!
• 2012 Eisner Hall of Fame inductee.
“Atmosphere is key to sell the malevolent atmosphere and is pulled off in style by Corben, who makes you feel like you've been transported back in time…”—Comic Book Resource

EERIE ARCHIVES VOLUME 12 HC
Steve Skeates (W), Gerry Boudreau (W), Doeg Moench (W), Rich Margopolous (W), Bill DuBay (W), Budd Lewis (W), Wally Wood (A), Bernie Wrightson (A), Richard Corben (A), Sanjulian (A), Paul Neary (A), Isidoro Mones (A), Martin Salvador (A), Leopoldo Sanchez (A), Esteban Maroto (A), and Jaime Brocal (A)
On sale Jan 23
B&w, 272 pages
$49.99
HC, 8 3/8” x 10 7/8”
The latest deluxe hardcover features work by Bernie Wrightson, Richard Corben, and Paul Neary, lavish covers by Ken Kelly and Sanjulian, and an interplanetary romance by none other than Wally Wood! We’re introduced to the Spook, a voodoo-inspired zombie hero of the antebellum south. We continue the post-apocalyptic adventures of Hunter and follow Dr. Archaeus as he tracks down each of the twelve jurors who sentenced him to death! Collects Eerie magazine #56-#60.
• Retailer and Warren contributor Buddy Saunders pens a brand-new introduction!

EX SANGUINE #2 (of 5)
Tim Seeley (W/A/Cover), Joshua Scott Emmons (W), and Carlos Badilla (C)
On sale Nov 14
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
A series of strange murders involving cryptographic symbols drawn on walls with blood lead FBI agents to a killer . . . just not the right one. Ashley draws Saul into her plans with some well-placed evidence and an alibi.
• From Hack/Slash’s Tim Seeley!
• Dark Horse Horror gets under your skin.
• Buffy and Angel meet Natural Born Killers!

GAME OF THRONES
On sale Nov 28
Game of Thrones Pint Glass: Greyjoy Sigil   $9.99
Game of Thrones Shot Glass: Greyjoy Sigil   $5.99
Game of Thrones Ceramic Stein: Greyjoy Sigil   $19.99
Game of Thrones Shield Pin: Greyjoy  $14.99
We are beginning a line of glassware featuring the house sigils from HBO's award- winning television series Game of Thrones. The first offering was presented last month in Previews. New items feature Greyjoy house sigil on a pint glass, a shot glass, and a ceramic stein.
Joining the Greyjoy glassware items is the second in our line of Game of Thrones custom pins, replicating the unique shields as seen in the HBO series. It’s a wearable replica of the battle-tested shield of the House of Greyjoy.
Produced from the actual prop seen in the series, this high-quality piece measures approximately 60 mm high and 40 mm across and is pewter with an antique finish. 

GAME OF THRONES: TYRION STATUE
On sale Feb 20
10” high, 10.5” across its base
Limited edition, numbered
$199.99
When Dark Horse began developing a line of collectible sculptural pieces based on HBO’s Game of Thrones, we discovered that we had the full attention of all involved in the production.
In looking for the best subject matter from the then-unseen season 2, we asked producer/writers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, “What is the most ‘statue-worthy’ moment in season 2?”
The answer was the moment when Tyrion, as portrayed by Peter Dinklage, charges into battle, leading the defense of King’s Landing against an assault by King Stannis Baratheon in the Battle of the Blackwater. They further assisted with special photographic reference taken during filming, expressly as sculpture reference for this piece, which we proudly offer for advance order.

GANTZ VOLUME 26 TP
Hiroya Oku (W/A)
On sale Jan 23
b&w, 200 pages
$12.99
TP, 5 1/8” x 7 1/16”
The shape-shifting 100-point alien boss has finally been destroyed—along with much of Osaka—and Kei Kurono is back on the team, resurrected after his second death. But good times never last as the Gantz orb reveals a countdown clock showing that Earth has just over a week before catastrophe strikes, and the Tokyo team is whisked to Italy to face a new set of deadly foes on what what may be their final mission!
• Gantz has sold over fifteen million copies in Japan!
• Popular anime series, live-action feature.
“Bold, shocking, and entertaining.” —About.com

GHOST #2
Kelly Sue DeConnick (W) and Phil Noto (A/C/Cover)
On sale Nov 7
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Ghost returns to Chicago’s Resurrection Cemetery, where paranormal investigators Vaughn and Tommy first summoned her, to seek an answer to the riddle of her own identity. But digging too deeply into the past can unearth secrets that the city’s elite would rather stay buried, and soon new threats are showing their faces . . . Kelly Sue DeConnick takes us deeper into a mystery that spans two worlds!
• A new nemesis takes the stage!
• Kelly Sue DeConnick (Captain Marvel, Avenging Spider-Man) revives one of Dark Horse’s most popular characters.

THE GOON #44
Eric Powell (W/A/Cover) and Mark Buckingham (A)
On sale Nov 28
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Ongoing
¡LAGARTO HOMBRE REGRESA! ¡Ah, Jesús dulce! ¡El horror de ese bocadillo de jamón Lagarto Hombre ha regresado! ¡El diablo! es el diablo! ¡El señor salvo nosotros! ¡Lagarto Hombre comerá a sus bebés en la noche! ¡Vuela como gatos malos en la cara!*
*We apologize to our Spanish-language readers, the process that created the Largarto Hombre gave him terrible grammar.
“The quirky sense of humor, dark seriousness, and glorious monster mayhem make it a top of the pile read whenever an issue is released.”—bleedingcool.com

LEGEND OF ZELDA: HYRULE HISTORIA HC
On sale Jan 16
FC, 248 pages
$34.99
HC, 9" x 12"
Dark Horse Books and Nintendo® bring you The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, containing an unparalleled collection of historical information on The Legend of Zelda™ franchise. This handsome hardcover contains never-before-seen concept art, the full history of Hyrule, the official chronology of the games, and much more! Starting with an insightful introduction by the legendary producer and video-game designer of Donkey Kong™, Mario™, and The Legend of Zelda™, Shigeru Miyamoto, this book is crammed full of information about the storied history of Link’s adventures from the creators themselves! As a bonus, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia includes an exclusive comic by the foremost creator of The Legend of Zelda manga—Akira Himekawa!
• The full history and making of the The Legend of Zelda™ franchise, never-before-seen concept art!
• Introduction by Shigeru Miyamoto!

MASS EFFECT: SX3 ALLIANCE FIGHTER REPLICA
On sale Apr 10
5” on a sculpted custom base
$29.99
Systems Alliance frigates, named after the great battles of human history, are among the larger warships capable of traveling between star systems in the interactive world of Mass Effect. Dark Horse has released a version of one of these ships, our popular replica of Normandy.
Smaller combat support craft, fighters, and interceptors are used in a support role to the warships during combat. Fighters are a one-man craft used to perform close-range attacks on enemy ships.
One of these is the SX3 Alliance Fighter. Dark Horse is now announcing their version of this ship, which is a perfect companion piece to Normandy. 

  

THE MASSIVE #6
Brian Wood (W), Garry Brown (A), Dave Stewart (C), J. P. Leon (Cover)
On sale Nov 14
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Ongoing
Still reeling from the Crash, the crew of Kapital trail a cargo ship, hoping to resupply. But the ship, which may be derelict and full of dangerous occupants, is flying a sovereign flag, and boarding it would be an act of brazen piracy. Nevertheless, the Kapital’s first mate, Mag Nagendra, thinks this opportunity is too important to pass by.
Do the rules of the old world still apply in this new world, where survival is the law of the land?
• A new title from New York Times bestseller Brian Wood.

MICHAEL AVON OEMING’S THE VICTORIES #4 (of 5)
Michael Avon Oeming (W/A/Cover) and Nick Filardi (C)
On sale Nov 14
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
When the Victories’ leader, Faustus, is incarcerated and forced to endure his own private hell, there is only one way out for him—the Jackal! Will Faustus make a deal with the devil in order to get his vengeance?
• The most shocking antiheroes since Hobo with a Shotgun!
• From the cocreator of Powers!

MIND MGMT #0
Matt Kindt (W/A/Cover)
On sale Nov 21
FC, 24 pages
$2.99
One-shot
Haven’t tried Matt Kindt’s visionary MIND MGMT series yet? Well, lock up your dolphins, shield your brain, and don’t believe anything you see, because this specially priced issue is the perfect initiation into Kindt’s electrifying tale of Mind Management’s psychic spies, its most infamous defector, and Meru, the journalist who stumbles upon their incredible secrets! Available in print for the first time, these three stories introduce the series’ key players and delve deeper than ever into MIND MGMT’s secret history! Whether you’re new to the series or already hooked, this special issue can’t be missed!
• From the creator of 3 Story and Super Spy!
• Specially priced jumping-on point!
• Available for the first time in print!
“Best comic I have read in many, many, MANY months. Exquisitely dense in all the right ways. Bravo.” —Damon Lindelof, creator of Lost

NUMBER 13 #0
Robert Love (W/A/Cover), David Walker (W), Michelle Davies (C), and Diego Simone (C)
On sale Nov 21
FC, 40 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
In a postapocalyptic wasteland populated by mutants and terrorized by flesh-eating ogres, a young amnesiac searches for the answers to the mystery of his identity. Wandering aimlessly, he comes to the rescue of Lorna, a young girl who gives him a name: Number 13. Facing danger at every turn, Number 13 fights to stay alive as his quest to find out who he is leads to the deadly truth of what he is.
• From the pages of Dark Horse Presents!
• Love and Walker craft a bizarre landscape.
• A heart of gold and a fist of laser cannons!

ORCHID #11
Tom Morello (W), Scott Hepburn (A), Dan Jackson (C), and Massimo Carnevale (Cover)
On sale Nov 14
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Ongoing
In the penultimate chapter of Tom Morello’s fantastical science-fiction class-war epic, the fight for freedom rages on! Orchid and her army of newly determined Shadow Rebels gain an unlikely ally and attempt to turn the tide of war. But even with this new fighting force among their number, will it be enough to overcome the seemingly endless forces of the fearsome dictator Tomo Wolfe?
• Free musical score with every issue!
“A compelling, interesting series.”—CraveOnline.com
“Refreshingly full of social commentary, as would be expected when written by such a prolific activist as Tom Morello.”—ComicBooked.com

OREIMO VOLUME 2 TP
Tsukasa Fushimi (W) and Sakura Ikeda (W/A/Cover)
On sale Jan 9
B&w, 168 pages
$10.99
TP, 5 1/8” x 7 1/4”
Things are heating up at home for Kyosuke and his little sister Kirino! It’s getting difficult for Kirino to keep her love of kids’ anime and naughty video games a secret, especially from her nosy clique of popular girls and her stern, strict father! With all this chaos, might it be possible for Kirino to turn to her brother and really see him as a friend? Clever and engaging, Oreimo is full of surprises!
• A second season of the anime is planned for 2013!

RESET HC
Peter Bagge (W/A)
On sale Jan 2
b&w, 96 pages
$15.99
HC, 6" x 9"
If you could relive major events in your life, would you take a stab at making things better—and would your best attempts only make things worse? Or would you use your second chance to put your most twisted, perverted fantasies in motion? These are questions washed up actor and comedian Guy Krause asks himself after he signs up to be the main research subject for a virtual reality experiment! This new hardcover graphic novel from Harvey Award-winning writer/artist Peter Bagge—creator of Hate and Apocalypse Nerd—collects the hilarious, offbeat Reset comic-book series in its entirety.
• Multiple Harvey Award-winner Peter Bagge!

Cowboys versus demons in the Wild West!

R.I.P.D.: CITY OF THE DAMNED #1 (of 4)
Peter Lenkov (W), Jeremy Barlow (W), Tony Parker (A), and Dave Wilkins (Cover)
On sale Nov 28
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Roy Pulsipher and Nick Walker are dead, but that doesn’t mean their time in law enforcement is over. Both Roy and Nick are officers in the Rest in Peace Department, sworn to serve the Almighty and protect the living from evil’s foul corruption. Their current case has them chasing a ghostly fanatic determined to undo all of creation—a threat with very personal connections to Roy’s past, stretching back a hundred years into a weird, Wild West and Roy’s first day on the job. It’s a twisted history that Nick is only starting to uncover, and one that could have him reconsidering ever joining the R.I.P.D.!
• Prequel to the upcoming feature film starring Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges!
• The return of the hit series by Peter M. Lenkov (Hawaii Five-O, Demolition Man).
• Co-written by Jeremy Barlow (Dethklok) and drawn by Tony Parker (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?)

ROBERT E. HOWARD’S SAVAGE SWORD #6
Matt Kindt (W), Paul Tobin (W), Ian Edginton (W), Francesco Francavilla (A/C/Cover), Richard Pace (A), and Keu Cha (P)
On sale Jan 30
FC, 80 pages
$7.99
Ongoing
Multi-Eisner Award nominee Matt Kindt (3 Story, MIND MGMT) teams with comic-book superstar Keu Cha (Hex: The Lost Tribe) to bring you a familiar Conan story with a twist! Paul Tobin and Francesco Francavilla deliver the second exciting installment of Dark Agnes: Sword Woman, while Ian Edginton and Richard Pace show us why the Picts are such a formidable fighting force in part 2 of Bran Mak Morn: Men of the Shadows. This and much more in Robert E. Howard’s Savage Sword #6!
• Matt Kindt and Keu Cha take on Conan!

ROBERT E. HOWARD’S SAVAGE SWORD VOLUME 1 TP
Paul Tobin (W), Scott Allie (W), Mark Finn (W), Mark Andreyko (W), Joe Casey (W), Jeremy Barlow (W), David Lapham (W), Joshua Williamson (W), Dave Land (W), Peter Doree (W), Wellington Alves (A), Ben Dewey (A), Tim Bradstreet (A), Robert Atkins (A), Pop Mhan (A), Tim Seeley (A), Tony Parker (A), Fabio Cobiaco (A), Patric Reynolds (A), M.S. Corley (A), Sean Phillips (A), Rebecca Buchman (I), Michael Atiyeh (C), Dave Stewart (C), Grant Goleash (C), Michelle Madsen (C), José Villarubia (C), Brian Miller (C), Dan Jackson, (C), and Gerald Parel (Cover)
On sale Jan 2
FC, 144 pages
$17.99
TP, 7" x 10"
From the mind of pulp titan Robert E. Howard comes a slew of thrilling tales of savage heroism and brutal adventure! This collection features larger-than-life Howard heroes like Dark Agnes, El Borak, the Sonora Kid, and, of course, Conan, and showcases some of today’s top creators like Sean Phillips, Tony Parker, Joe Casey, Paul Tobin, and many, many more! This trade paperback collects all the original material from Robert E. Howard’s Savage Sword #1 – #4, along with a cover and pin-up gallery.
• Over 140 pages of savagery!

STAR WARS: AGENT OF THE EMPIRE—HARD TARGETS #2 (of 5)
John Ostrander (W), Davidé Fabbri (P), Christian Dalla Vecchia (I), Wes Dzioba (C), and Stéphane Roux (Cover)
On sale Nov 21
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Imperial Agent Jahan Cross doesn’t like his assignment or the politicians he is forced to work with. Yet dealing with all of that is easier than coming to terms with his growing respect for a boy whose father he killed—especially when that boy is supposed to be merely a political pawn of the Empire.
When attackers kidnap the boy, Cross finds himself turning his back on his mission and putting his life on the line for a “pawn.” No job is too dangerous for an Agent of the Empire!

STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES VOLUME 2—BOBA FETT IS DEAD TP
Tom Taylor (W), Chris Scalf (A), and David Palumbo (Cover)
On sale Jan 23
FC, 96 pages
$14.99
TP, 7" x 10"
The news spreads from one end of the galaxy to the other like wildfire: Boba Fett, the galaxy’s most feared bounty hunter, is dead.
But members of the team that killed Fett are themselves being picked off one by one by a mysterious avenger, and Connor Freeman—the son of one of Jango Fett’s clones—gets drawn into the whodunit. Freeman is recruited against his will to find and safeguard a particular bounty hunter on a distant world with an unknown connection to Boba Fett . . . Collects Star Wars: Blood Ties—Boba Fett Is Dead #1–#4.
• Dead, but more dangerous than ever!

STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI—THE PRISONER OF BOGAN #1 (of 5)
John Ostrander (W), Jan Duursema (P), Dan Parsons (I), Wes Dzioba (C), and David Michael Beck (Cover)
On sale Nov 28
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Banished to the dark moon Bogan, the Force Hound Xesh has been living in contemplation; the memory of who he was before his ship crashed on Tython still escapes him. A rival from his past is on his trail, and the Je’daii are doing all they can to discover his origin. And now, Xesh is about to meet someone who will change his life forever, a former great Je’daii . . . the prisoner of Bogan!
• Chronicles the origins of the Jedi!
• Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi—Force Storm #1 is in its 3rd printing.

STAR WARS: LOST TRIBE OF THE SITH—SPIRAL #4 (of 5)
John Jackson Miller (W), Andrea Mutti (P), Pierluigi Baldassini (I), Michael Heisler (C), and Paul Renaud (Cover)
On sale Nov 14
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
A Sith princess returns to her kingdom as ancient Lord Dreypa’s awakened army of Leviathans wreaks havoc and destruction across the lost tribe of the Sith, searching for the one thing that can again open Dreypa’s power to the entire galaxy! Running out of options to save the tribe she wants to rule, the princess takes a chance that places all her trust in herself and in the Sith rebel who’s been fighting against her . . .
• Sequel to the bestselling e-books.
• An all-Sith tale!

THE SUNDAY FUNNIES VOLUME 1 AND 2
Frank King (W/A), V. T. Hamlin (W/A), Hal Foster (W/A), Fred Harman (W/A), George Herriman (W/A), Lyonel Feininger (W/A), Frank Godwin (W/A), Winsor McCay (W/A), Phil Nowlan (W), and Dick Calkins (A)
Available now
FC, 96 pages
$30.00
Vol. 1, 22” x 16”
Available now
FC, 96 pages
$30.00
Vol. 2, 22” x 16”
America’s greatest Sunday comics are presented at full size in The Sunday Funnies! Each volume is made up of three full-size newspaper sections with beautiful, high-quality reproductions of the original strips in full color—just as they appeared in the 1930s!
Featuring a mix of beloved classics, including Tarzan, Gasoline Alley, Buck Rogers, Alley Oop, Wee Willie Winkie’s World, and Krazy Kat, and seldom-seen treasures, like Bobby Make-Believe, Connie, Tales of the Jungle Imps, and Bronc Peeler, there’s something to surprise and delight even the most well-versed comics fan! The Sunday Funnies is the most authentic reprinting of these masterpieces ever and a vital addition to any comics collection!
• From comics masters Hal Foster, Frank King, Winsor McCay, George Herriman, Lyonel Feininger, and more!
• Rarely seen gems like King’s Bobby Make-Believe, McCay’s Tales of the Jungle Imps, Frank Godwin’s Connie, and Fred Harman’s Bronc Peeler!
• Reprinted at full size!