Dark Horse’s March 2019 is probably one of the most exciting months in recent memory. Half of this list includes brand new number ones with four of them being completely new series not based off a license they hold. That’s not a lot for other publishers but for Dark Horse, that’s a lot and it’s very exciting. On top of that, we have a couple of advance solicitations that I’m personally really excited for.
10. You Can Make Comics Too!
I can’t remember if there was ever a time where I included a book like this in my few years doing this now, but this seems pretty cool. If you’re an aspiring artist or inker, this might be worth checking out. It’s their third printing of this so I have to think it’s been successful so far and the talent included is pretty top notch.
The Art of Comic Book-Inking TP (Third Edition)
Gary Martin (W/A), Steve Rude (W), Brent Anderson (W), Terry Dodson (W), Randy Green (W), Adam Warren (W), Jack Kirby (W), Gil Kane (W), John Buscema (W), Gary Martin (I), Leo Vitalis (I), and others
On sale May 29
Learn the techniques, tools, and approaches of some of the finest inkers in comics, and use the included eight full-sized blue-lined art boards featuring pencil art by top comics illustrators for practice or as samples to show editors. This expanded edition includes new art and text by Gary Martin and a bonus chapter on digital inking. Along with pen, brush, and stylus, no inking tool is more useful than The Art of Comic-Book Inking.
9. A Hidden Gem
I’m a really big fan of Rich Tommaso’s work. I think he’s one of the most unique voices that comics has to offer and I wish his work were more mainstream than it is. I’m really excited for this release because this is not one of his works I’ve had the chance to read.
The Horror of Collier County HC (advance solicit)
Rich Tommaso (W/A/Cover)
On sale May 1
Escaping the stresses of city life, a young, single mom visits the hurricane state, only to find that Florida can be a pretty scary place—swamps, alligators, bugs the size of small cars, and zombies. With a weed-whacker for a weapon and the world against her, this punk-rock mommy will take down every monster in the state if need be. Is Florida really haunted by the undead, or is it just in her head? Collects issues #1–#5 of the cult classic series by Dry County creator Rich Tommaso, and featuring new cover art, fully colored and collected in a deluxe hardcover format for the first time, and featuring two bonus stories.
8.For The Nerds
I know like half of Multiversity loves this game and most of my Twitter feed is obsessed with it so this is a no brainer pick. I haven’t played this but the little bit of it I’ve seen makes me think it would be entirely my jam. This books looks like it’s going to have a bunch of cool stuff so it might be worth grabbing if you’re into this game.
NieR: Automata World Guide HC (advance solicit)
Square Enix (W) and Akihiko Yoshida (P)
On sale May 7
Dark Horse Books and Square Enix present a faithful localization of the original Japanese volume of the same name, offered in English for the first time! Explore the world of NieR: Automata through maps, character biographies, short stories, concept art, commentary, and more! Whether locked in open combat, zipping through the air on a flying mech, or bonding with nature through the indigenous fauna, NeiR: Automata captivated players through a genre-bending blend of action and adventure. Now, journey through this unique and ruined world, discovering its each and every intricacy with the NieR: Automata World Guide! • Features hundreds of pieces of art and extensive lore!
7.The GAWD
I feel like if you’re not obsessed with the art of James Stokoe then you just aren’t doing comics right. Please fix that immediately and buy this.
Continued belowGrunt: The Art and Unpublished Comics of James Stokoe HC (advance solicit)
James Stokoe (W/A)
On sale May 22
This deluxe hardcover artbook showcases the work of inimitable comics creator James Stokoe, who has drawn some of the most visually meticulous and surreal illustrations in modern comics, featuring some of his bestselling illustrations from works such as Orc Stain, Aliens: Dead Orbit, Wonton Soup, Godzilla in Hell, well-known cover work, and some of his never-before-published comics. “His artwork is astonishingly detailed, with an infectious, monstrous energy and dynamism that needs to be experienced by every fan of comic books.“—SyFy Wire “Stokoe has proven that he can take an existing franchise and invigorate it with his thoughtful storytelling.” —AV Club
6. I’m Jealous Of All Of You
I feel the same way about this as I did when Netflix announced they were going to stream Neon Genesis Evangelion – jealous. I’m jealous that people are going to get to experience this for the first time. “Elfen Lied” is a trip and this is a perfect chance to read it for the first time with so much of it being collected like this in one shot.
Elfen Lied Omnibus Volume 1 TP (advance solicit)
Lynn Okamoto (W/A/cover)
On sale May 22
Captured and isolated against their will, the Diclonius species are a threat waiting to break free. When a young Diclonius girl, Nyu, escapes from the research facility she was being held in, she manages to find solace in two allies until danger seeks her out, putting everyone at risk. However, her enemies soon realize they’re in over their heads as an attempt to subdue Nyu results in unspeakable tragedy. Lynn Okamoto’s beloved original manga series, that inspired the anime TV show, is now available in English for the very first time, presented here in a special omnibus collecting three of the four original volumes in one! Cited as an inspiration for Stranger Things by the Duffer Brothers
5. Cool Calamity
Mags Visaggio is basically taking over comics and with good reason. She can’t write anything bad! And she’s writing the most varied projects imaginable, including this monster killer story. I’m all on board with anything she puts out so this is no different.
Calamity Kate #1
Magdalene Visaggio (W), Corin Howell (A/Cover), Valentina Pinto (C/cover), and Tana Ford (Variant cover)
On sale Mar 13
Kate Strand reboots her destructive life and moves to LA to be the superhero she always wanted to be—Calamity Kate: gun-toting monster killer. With her latest career change, she faces new challenges, relationships, and competition; desperate to show she’s worth a damn in a world overrun by zombies, vampires, demons, goblins, and the ultimate monster bounty: the Seven Fabled Beasts of Yore. From the Eisner and GLAAD Media Award-nominated writer of the breakout hit Kim & Kim and DC Comics’ Eternity Girl with Gerard Way, and artist on IDW’s Ghostbusters and X-Files, comes this modern-day, adventure of heroes and monsters.
4. The 70’s Will Never Die
My dad has very fond memories of his youth in the 70s so I kind of grew up exposed to a lot of 70s pop culture. I love it. The 80s get a lot of hype right now because that’s how the nostalgia wheel turns but let’s get some more 70s nostalgia going. Let’s get this comic really popular because this is entirely my jam.
Astro Hustle #1
Jai Nitz (W), Tom Reilly (P/Cover), Ursula Decay (I), Chris Crank (C), and Greg Smallwood (Variant cover)
On sale Mar 6
Chen Andalou, the black sheep of a prominent activist family, returns after being accidentally put in cryo-stasis for sixty years. Chen, a cosmic criminal, wakes up to find his younger brother is now the President of the Galaxy. Chen does what he knows best: he steals stuff and causes a problem. • Astro Hustle is a slick and sexy romp through the stars evoking the sci-fi disco era of the late 70s.
3. New Blood
Dark Horse, like many big publishers, need to take chances on more new voices. They can afford to do it and it helps make comics a better place. Lela Gwenn is not exactly brand new to the world of comics but this a great spot for her to be in and working with an art team as fantastic and talented as Dow Smith and Fitzpatrick guarantees this will be a special project. I’m really excited for this one!
Continued belowBad Luck Chuck #1
Lela Gwenn (W), Matthew Dow Smith (P/I/Cover), and Kelly Fitzpatrick (C)
On sale Mar 27
She’ll need more than a rabbit’s foot to get through this. Cursed at birth, Charlene “Chuck” Manchester hires out her own bad luck, providing disaster where someone else can profit. She can get you that insurance payout fortune—for a price. But bad luck doesn’t always go as planned, an d when Chuck gets stuck between a dissatisfied crime boss client , a cult leader, and a dogged insurance-fraud investigator, things get . . . explosive. Everything that could go wrong does—and only about half of it by accident. “Raucous, violent, delightful. Bad Luck Chuck is Chuck-approved.”—Chuck Wendig
2. Can’t Get Enough
Honestly one of the most special things about “Black Hammer” has been all the tie in series because it’s added so many layers to this universe and the core story. It’s a huge world that still feels so unique and that’s hard to do with superheroes. Everything is kind of derivative but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room to make things your own and that’s exactly what “Black Hammer” has done so far. I’m totally on board with this.
Black Hammer ’45: From The World of Black Hammer #1
Jeff Lemire (W), Ray Fawkes (W), Matt Kindt (A), Sharlene Kindt (C), Matt Kindt (Cover), and Veronica Fish (Variant Cover)
On sale March 6
During the Golden Age of superheroes, an elite Air Force crew called the Black Hammer Squadron was formed to fight the Axis powers. Facing occult threats from the German side, this team must save a family of scientists from the Nazi’s. But the mysterious and dangerous Ghost Hunter is hot on their trail. From the World of Black Hammer comes a truly gripping tale of war and intrigue! “Black Hammer is the maddest, most brilliant comic I’ve read in years.”—Mark Millar (Kick Ass)
1. Early “Best of 2019” Contender
G. Willow Wilson and Christian Ward doing a comic book together is like a match made in heaven and something that many of us would just fantasy pick not thinking it would ever happen. This is going to truly be special. I am calling it now, not only will this end up on a bunch of year end lists but it’ll probably sweep every award it can be nominated for. I’m maybe more hyped for this than anything else in comics in 2019.
Invisible Kingdom #1
G.Willow Wilson (W) and Christian Ward (A/C/Cover)
On sale Mar 20
Set in a in a far-flung star system, this new epic sci-fi monthly saga tells the tale of two women—a young religious acolyte and a hard-bitten freighter pilot—who separately uncover a vast conspiracy between the leader of the system’s dominant religion and the mega-corporation that controls society. On the run from reprisals on both sides, this unlikely pair of rebels risk plunging the world into anarchy if they reveal the truth. But when your beliefs betray you, what choice is there left? By Hugo Award-winning writer G. Willow Wilson (Wonder Woman, Ms. Marvel) and Eisner Award-winning artist Christian Ward (Black Bolt, ODY-C).
