Dark Horse’s July 2019 solicitations have a nice mix of creator-owned books (both old and new), licensed titles, new manga (well, new to English readers), and a book that wasn’t even in the solicitations at all . . .
10. A late addition.
So this is something that wasn’t technically in the solicitations because it was added to the schedule after they’d already come out. Recently we announced “The World of Black Hammer Encyclopedia,” which kind of ties into this, an upcoming trade paperback, “Black Hammer: Streets of Spiral.” For trade readers that’ve been waiting for 2017’s “Black Hammer: Giant-Sized Annual” to be collected, this is your book. Along with it’ll be December’s ‘Cthu-Louise’ one-shot, ‘Horrors to Come’ (the short story in this year’s Gold Offering from Dark Horse for Free Comic Book Day), and the aforementioned encyclopedia one-shot. It should be a good book to enjoy while waiting for the second half of “Black Hammer: Age of Doom.” Still need convincing? Look at the list of creators involved in this thing.
Black Hammer: Streets of Spiral TP
Jeff Lemire (W/Cover), Tate Brombal (W), Ray Fawkes (W/A/C), Dean Ormston (A), Emi Lenox (A), Dustin Nguyen (A), Michael Allred (A), Nate Powell (A), Matt Kindt (A), David Rubín (A/C), Brian Hurtt (A), Wilfredo Torres (A), Tyler Crook (A), Rich Tomasso (A), Max Fiumara (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Sharlene Kindt (C)On sale Sept 10
FC, 128 pages
$19.99
TP, 7” x 10”From the Eisner-award winning Black Hammer superhero fantasy comes this collection of three stories and a universe guide tied to the world of Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston’s hit comic book series.
A Lovecraftian teen decides she will do anything to make herself “normal”, a bizarre witch guides her guests through her house of horrors, and an all-star slate of guest artists illustrate a bizarre adventure with Colonial Weird on the farm. Also featuring a complete world guide to the Black Hammer universe and its characters.
Collects: Black Hammer: Giant Sized Annual, Black Hammer: Cthu-Louise, World of Black Hammer, and material from Free Comic Book Day 2019.
9. Absolutely worth the wait.
The second volume of “Beasts of Burden” has been a long time coming—the oldest story in the collection came out in 2010—so I’m going to relish every page of this book. Given the fantastic sketchbook sections in the first volume and the spin-off volume ‘Wise Dogs and Eldritch Men,’ I’m expecting a veritable treasure trove to explore. Jill Thompson has won four Eisners for her art in “Beasts of Burden,” after all.
Beasts of Burden Volume 2: Neighborhood Watch HC
Evan Dorkin (W), Sarah Dyer (W), Mike Mignola (W), Jill Thompson (A), and Benjamin Dewey (A)On sale Sept 18
FC, 176 pages
$22.99
HC, 7 3/4″ x 11”The dogs and cats protecting Burden Hill from supernatural harm find themselves facing new threats and mysteries, including a vengeful demon, an invisible killer, and an enigmatic flock of lost sheep. As a growing evil threatens to overwhelm their town, the animals find themselves some unlikely allies, most notably a seasoned paranormal investigator named . . . Hellboy.
This volume collects the comic-book series Beasts of Burden: Sacrifice, Beasts of Burden: Neighborhood Watch, Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers, Beasts of Burden: What the Cat Dragged In, and Beasts of Burden: The Presence of Others #1 and #2.
8. A Disney anthology . . .
Dark Horse has been doing a lot of licensed Disney comics lately, which admittedly I’ve never really checked out. Still, this seems like a good book to dip your toe in the water if you’re curious. Printed larger than the usual digest-sized Disney books, this hardcover features stories from a wide range of Disney and Pixar animated films. It’s probably the best way to find a title that clicks with you.
Continued belowDisney Storied Places HC
Rhona Cleary (W), Eduardo Jauregui (W), Tea Orsi (W), Antonia Reed (W/A), Rhona Cleary (A), Eduardo Jauregui (A), Tea Orsi (A), and moreOn sale Sept 4
FC, 152 pages
$24.99
HC, 8 1/2″ x 12”A collection of comic stories set around the magical locations of animated features from Disney and Pixar. Slide into the kingdom of Arendelle with Frozen’s Anna and Elsa. Venture through the worlds of Disney animation. Marvel at the glorious castles of Disney’s princesses! There are many stops along the way, so take a moment to enjoy all the wonderful worlds of Disney.
7. It’s always nice to see a graphic novel series.
If you’re not familiar, this short story should be a good introduction to the characters. After a strong debut, I’m eager to see where creators Matt Mair Lowery and Cassie Anderson take Cleo and Alex next.
Lifeformed: Hearts and Minds Volume 2 TP
Matt Mair Lowery (W) and Cassie Anderson (W/A/Cover)On sale Sept 4
FC, 200 pages
$12.99
TP, 6” x 9”Cleo, orphaned in the wake of an alien invasion, left behind the life she knew to fight for the future of Earth. Now she and Alex, the shapeshifting rebel alien posing as her father, make a fearsome team in a guerrilla war against the invaders. But Cleo’s past is about to come back to haunt her! Lifeformed: Hearts and Minds is the second installment in the sci-fi thriller series from Matt Mair Lowery and Cassie Anderson.
6. This solicit is making me hungry . . .
Comics have a way of heightening the experience of eating, so much so that food manga is a legit genre. I’m not familiar with this title at all, but the premise has me intrigued.
Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles Volume 1 TP
Naru Narumi (W/A/Cover)On sale Sept 11
b&w, 136 pages
$10.99
TP, 5 1/8″ x 7 1/4″Ramen and manga are two Japanese things that people love everywhere around the world. But no one’s ever brought them together before—until now! Let cool, mysterious high school student Ms. Koizumi and her girlfriends show you around the authentic ramen culture of everyday Japan in this fun food manga. The noodles, the toppings, the broth—the street stalls, restaurants, and home cooking . . . and yes, cup ramen too! You’ll slurp down a whole new knowledge of Japan’s greatest fast food that even many Japanese don’t know . . . but Ms. Koizumi does!
• Dark Horse’s first manga in the popular food genre.
• Ms. Koizumi anime TV series now on Crunchyroll.
5. “Universe?”
I’m not entirely sure what this is. At first glance it’s a one-shot, but then there’s that word “universe” in the solicitation that makes me wonder if this is meant to be the beginning of something more. Or maybe I’m just reading too much into it. Either way, “Bitter Root” writer Chuck Brown being involved is enough to make me pay attention.
The Quiet Kind One-shot
Chuck Brown (W), Jeremy Treece (A), Kelly Williams (A), and Michael Cho (Cover)On sale July 17
FC, 64 pages
$5.99
One-shotA child suddenly imbued with the powers of ancient gods is visited by a band of similarly gifted children. Will young Solomon hone his skills with the others, or will he risk unraveling existence and use his raw control over reality just to get revenge on some bullies? Writer Chuck Brown (Bitter Root) tells two tales of power, revenge, and empathy—with a main story illustrated by Jeremy Treece (Mandrake the Magician) and a bonus story illustrated by Kelly Williams (Creepy Comics).
• Standard cover by Sanford Greene, with a variant cover by Michael Cho!
• A new universe of creatures and heroes, written by Bitter Root’s Chuck Brown!
4. More Hellboy in Mexico.
I enjoy how this one ballooned. ‘Hellboy in Mexico’ (otherwise known as ‘A Drunken Blur’) was never intended to be anything more than a one-shot, but the idea was resilient, and over time it evolved into a whole host of short stories collectively known as “Hellboy in Mexico.” Now “Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.” has reached 1956, the year of the infamous Mexico drinking binge, and it seems Mignola and co. couldn’t help adding just a little more. Featuring the luchadore Lobster Johnson (not to be confused with the 1930s vigilante known as the Lobster) and everyone’s favorite alien visitor, Michael Mathers, these next (and most likely last) stories in the “Hellboy in Mexico” series sound like a hell of a lot of fun.
Continued belowHellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1956 TP
Mike Mignola (W), Chris Roberson (W), Yishan Li (A), Paul Grist (A), Michael Avon Oeming (A), Mike Norton (A), Dave Stewart (C), Bill Crabtree (C), and Adam Hughes (Cover)On sale Sept 4
FC, 168 pages
$19.99
TP, 7” x 10”Follow Hellboy’s adventures with the B.P.R.D. before Seed of Destruction! Pressure is mounting within the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense to uncover the Soviets’ secret plans for recovered Nazi occult weapons. But a suspicious cover-up leads one agent off the radar in search of answers. meanwhile, demonic Soviet occult leader Varvara pushes her team to follow her own whims, and Hellboy is sent on the mission that led to his infamous misadventures in Mexico.
Collects Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1956 issues #1-#5 and Hellboy vs. Lobster Johnson: The Ring of Death.
3. Anyone else find it confusing to have two series called “Avatar” from the same publisher or is that just me?
To clarify, this isn’t James Cameron’s blue aliens; this is Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko’s series, which is nothing short of amazing. Don’t believe me? Well, Film Crit Hulk recently watched the whole series and had this to say: “When talking about “The Best Show” of all time I always have a simple answer and total cop out. Because I answer “The Sopranos, The Wire and Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” all at once . . . And now, I happily include Avatar: The Last Airbender in their company.” It’s damn good, and somehow, the comics manage to uphold that high standard.
Avatar: The Last Airbender—Imbalance Part 3 TP
Faith Erin Hicks (W), Michael Dante DiMartino (W), Bryan Konietzko (W), Peter Wartman (A/Cover), and Adele Matera (C)On sale Sept 10
FC, 80 pages
$10.99
TP, 6” x 9”While Aang grapples with a life-changing decision that only the Avatar could make, Ru and Yaling concoct a fiery ploy to get their mother back. The bender vs. non-bender conflict finally reaches a violent boiling point, and for better or for worse, Cranefish Town will never be the same!
Written by Faith Erin Hicks (The Nameless City) and drawn by Peter Wartman (Stonebreaker), in collaboration with Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, this is the ultimate continuation of Avatar!
2. A Dark Horse and DC crossover?
OK, I know, “Black Hammer” is showing up twice on this list, but both books are very noteworthy. Personally, I have mixed feelings about a crossover book. Anyone that knows me knows that usually crossovers are an automatic pass—really not my jam at all—and yet this comic could be a very different beast. After all, anyone that’s up to date with “Black Hammer” knows that there’s a very particular plot point that makes this canon, not just a “what if” romp. Plus add Jeff Lemire’s meta-textual playfulness and arms-wide-open celebration of superhero comics, and this could go anywhere.
Black Hammer / Justice League: Hammer of Justice #1 (of 5)
Jeff Lemire (W/Variant Cover), Michael Walsh (A/C/Cover), Andrea Sorrentino (Variant Cover), Yanick Paquette (Variant Cover), Yuko Shimizu (Variant Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)On sale July 3
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
MiniseriesDC Comics and Dark Horse Comics present the ultimate superhero crossover event of 2019! A strange man arrives simultaneously on Black Hammer Farm and in Metropolis, and both worlds are warped as Starro attacks! Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman, Superman, and more crossover with Golden Gail, Colonel Weird, and the rest of the Black Hammer gang!
1. I am ready.
I love Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook’s “Harrow County.” During its three-year run, there was no other series I enjoyed more. I also love Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt’s “The Sixth Gun” and I’ve got the gunslingers to prove it! So a title with all three creators working together is the single most exciting thing in this month’s solicitations.
Cullen Bunn! Brian Hurtt! Tyler Crook!
Manor Black #1 (of 4)
Cullen Bunn (W), Brian Hurtt (W), Tyler Crook (A/C/Cover), and Dan Brereton (Variant Cover)On sale July 31
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
MiniseriesFrom the creators of Harrow County and The Sixth Gun comes this gothic horror fantasy about a family of sorcerers in crisis. Roman Black is the moribund patriarch of a family of powerful sorcerers. As his wicked and corrupt children fight over who will take the reins of Manor Black and become representative of the black arts, Roman adopts a young mage whom he gifts his powers to with the hope that someone good will take his place against the evil forces out to bring down his family and legacy.
• For fans of Dark Shadows, The Sixth Gun, Harrow County, and Locke & Key.
