Soliciting week continues here at Multiversity with Dark Horse’s top 10. In their solicits for July, Dark Horse’s best bets come in the form of many advance listed collections. There’s something for pretty much everyone this month so let’s dig into this.
10. Behind The Scenes of A Modern Classic
Over The Garden Wall was a really special animated series. It’s one of the best animated series I’ve seen in the last few years and it was visually stunning. This limited edition art book will take a look at how this series came together through the perspective of those who made it. It’ll be a great addition to any animation fan’s library.
Art of Over the Garden Wall HC & Ltd. Ed. HC (advance solicit)
Sean Edgar (W) and Patrick McHale (W)
On sale Sept 13
FC, 184 pages • $39.99 • HC, 10” x 11”
FC, 184 pages • $49.99 • Ltd. Ed. HC, 10” x 11”
Venture into the Unknown! A complete tour through the development and production of the hit animated miniseries Over the Garden Wall, this volume contains hundreds of pieces of concept art and sketches, and a comprehensive look at the show’s breathtaking production art. Also includes commentary from creators Patrick McHale and Nick Cross, interviews with the cast and crew, and more!
Never-before-seen sketches and a comprehensive look at the production art behind the multiple-award-winning show!
Limited to 1, 000 copies Worldwide.
9. A Dense Read At a Discount
One of the best things that a publisher can do is create these kinds of affordable omnibus editions that collects a long run. You don’t see them as much anymore but Dark Horse has a huge line of them over the years. When I worked at a comic shop, these huge but affordable paperbacks would sell really well. I’m glad they’re still doing them and especially glad that after many years we’re getting a “Buffy” one.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus: Season 8 Volume 1 TP (advance solicit)
Joss Whedon (W), Brian K. Vaughan (W), Drew Goddard (W), Jeph Loeb (W), Georges Jeanty (P), Karl Moline (P), Paul Lee (P), Cliff Richards (P), Andy Owens (I), Dave Stewart (C), Michelle Madsen (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale Sept 13
FC, 592 pages • $24.99 • TP, 6” x 9”
Series creator Joss Whedon brought Buffy the Vampire Slayer back to life with this comics-only follow-up to Season 7 of the television show. Aptly named Season 8, these comics are the official sequel to Buffy and continue where the live-action series left off with the Slayer, her friends, and their ongoing challenge to fight the forces of darkness.
This oversized omnibus edition is one of two volumes that will contain the entirety of Season 8. Contains Buffy Season 8 Library Edition Volumes 1–2 (excluding sketchbook materials), all series covers (Buffy Season 8 #1–#20), the Willow one-shot Goddesses and Monsters, and the “Always Darkest” short from MySpace Dark Horse Presents #24.
A New York Times bestseller!
8. Boldly Color Where No Have Colored Before
I finally bought an “adult” coloring book and I’ve got to admit, they are oddly relaxing. I don’t know if I’ll get this but I kind of love that this edition has more images from the actual series.
Continued belowStar Trek: The Original Series Adult Coloring Book Volume 2—Where No Man Has Gone Before TP (advance solicit)
Juann Cabal (A), Will Conrad (A), Gabriel Guzmán (A/Cover), and Derlis Santacruz (A)
On sale Sept 13
b&w, 96 pages • $14.99 • TP, 10” x 10”
The coloring voyage continues with Star Trek: The Original Series Adult Coloring Book—Where No Man Has Gone Before. This beautifully illustrated volume features all-new, stunningly detailed black-and-white images from seasons 2 and 3 of the iconic sixties television show. Printed on high-quality stock, each illustration offers an array of diverse details to color as faithfully or as wildly as you choose and is single sided to avoid unsightly bleed-though. This is a must-have collectible for Star Trek fans throughout the galaxy!
Forty-five brand-new black-and-white images from the second and third seasons of the classic science-fiction series!
7. The Monsters Arrive
We’re obviously big fans of this series and this universe here so it should be no surprise that this lands on the list this month. I’m a huge Liz Sherman fan and “B.P.R.D.” is something I try my best to stay current on. I’m excited for this one to start.
B.P.R.D.: The Devil You Know #1
Mike Mignola (W/Variant cover), Scott Allie (W), Laurence Campbell (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Duncan Fegredo (Cover)
On sale July 26
FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing
Before they were vanquished by the BPRD, Lovecraftian monsters created a Hell on Earth. Now Liz Sherman leads a crew through monster-infested ruins on the most important rescue mission of her life. As society tries to rebuild, strange cults vie for influence, and a demon emerges to lead the way . . .
6. Artistic Can’t Miss
The first Moebius Library book that Dark Horse put out was breathtaking. Moebius is one of the most groundbreaking comic artists for a reason and that book will change the mind of anyone doubting that. This new volume is a companion to the first featuring short stories and assorted illustrations. Even better, it’s affordable.
Moebius Library: The Art of Edena HC (advance solicit)
Moebius (W/A/Cover)
On sale Sept 20
FC, 176 pages • $34.99 • HC, 8” x 10”
A companion volume to the critically acclaimed and New York Times best-selling World of Edena graphic novel, Moebius Library: The Art of Edena collects four fantastic Edena-related short stories and a mother lode of Moebius illustrations. A celebration of the imagery of Edena and the creative enthusiasm Moebius held for his Edena universe, this volume collects the short stories “Seeing Naples,” “Another Planet,” “The Repairmen,” and “Dying to See Naples,” as Moebius explores his imagination with Stel and Atan, two of his favorite characters.
Out-of-print stories and hard-to-find images—collected in an affordable hardcover!
The second volume in Dark Horse’s Moebius Library series!
“Glowingly illustrated in the elegant clear-line art and rich colors for which Moebius is justly revered, the book careens spectacularly through science fiction, fantasy, allegory, pop psychology, and psychedelia.”—Publishers Weekly
5. Home Is Where The Heart Is
“Black Hammer” is a superhero comic that isn’t. It’s about superheroes but isn’t really about being a superhero. Now that we’ve seen all the origin stories, the series is still focused on these single character stories but they are far more tied together to the bigger theme. This issue promises more about Barbalien, who’s arguably the most interesting character to examine. I’m excited.
Black Hammer #11
Jeff Lemire (W/Variant cover), Dean Ormston (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale July 19
FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing
He was born into the Red Tribes of Mars. He walked the streets of Spiral City as a police officer by day, vigilante hero by night. And now he’s trapped in the sleepy-but-sinister Rockwood. In each of these places, Barbalien has been an outsider. He’s never felt at home. Maybe, in the end, home is not a location . . . it’s something to find in other people.
4. An Ending Fit For A Queen
“The Once and Future Queen” has been one of Dark Horse’s most fun books and I’m sad to see it end but really interested to see how it ends. Consider this your early reminder to pre-order the trade.
The Once and Future Queen #5 (of 5)
Adam P. Knave (W), D.J. Kirkbride (W), and Nickolas Brokenshire (A/Cover)
On sale July 12
FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
Enemies are revealed and plans are set in motion as the Fae go to war! Can Rani, Gwen, Lance, and Merlin save humanity? And even if they do . . . at what cost?
“Fun, upbeat, and Wonderfully diverse.” —Big Comic Page
3. Black Beetle Returns!
“The Black Beetle” was my first exposure to Francesco Francavilla’s work and I’m glad for it. It’s a beautifully noir superhero story with a look all its own. Francavilla returned to “Dark Horse Presents” with a new series and I’ve been waiting for the full collection of it to read it. I’m really hyped for this one.
Continued belowThe Black Beetle: Kara Bocek HC (advance solicit)
Francesco Francavilla (W/A/Cover)
On sale Sept 6
FC, 56 pages • $14.99 • HC, 7” x 10”
The masked American hero ventures to the Middle East incognito (as Tom Sawyer) to fight Nazis in pursuit of a mysterious object of terrible power—a weapon of unknown origin, older than the pyramids, which could fuel the Thousand-Year Reich of Hitler’s dreams.
This story originally appeared in Dark Horse Presents #28-#32.
Afterlife with Archie cocreator returns to his acclaimed original series!
2. FINALLY
When I first took over this column, one of the first books I gushed over month in and month out was “Colder.” Look at this cover. That’s just a tease of the kind of twisted work you’ll see inside the actual book. I’m really glad to see it all get collected and in an affordable paperback omnibus style. Maybe one day we’ll get something a little fancier but I’ll take it.
Colder Omnibus TP (advance solicit)
Paul Tobin (W) and Juan Ferreyra (A/Cover)
On sale Sept 27
FC, 424 pages • $24.99 • TP, 7” x 10”
Declan Thomas, the former patient of an insane asylum that was destroyed in a fire, 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, as a demonic predator pursues him.
Collects the entire Colder series.
Written by Eisner Award winner Paul Tobin (Bandette)!
Art by Green Arrow’s Juan Ferreyra!
“A fantastically twisted comic that uses horror elements brilliantly to create a suspenseful tale absolutely worth reading.”—Graphic Policy
1. #SquadGoals
I love “Zodiac Starforce” so much. It’s like modern day Sailor Moon with a very American twist. It’s the kind of thing I wish Dark Horse did more of. A few months back I interviewed the creative team so I’ll let them tell you more.
Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #1 (of 4)
Kevin Panetta (W), Paulina Ganucheau (A/Cover), and Jen Bartel (Variant cover)
On sale July 5
FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
An elite group of teenage girls with magical powers have sworn to protect our planet against dark creatures . . . as long as they can get out of class! Known as the Zodiac Starforce, these high-school girls aren’t just combating math tests—they’re also battling monsters!
After defeating a former ZS member and her mean-girl minions, the girls thought they’d get a little break! But a new big bad’s come out to play, and demons are starting to overrun the downtown!
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below and take a look at the full solicitations at CBR.
