Solicitations hit last week so you know what that means! It’s time for Soliciting Multiversity, our monthly look at the best that each publisher has to offer. As usual, we kick things off with Dark Horse. October for Dark Horse sees the start of a new “Black Hammer” miniseries and the end of a couple notable miniseries. Let’s jump into this month’s picks.
10. Another Season In The Books
I’ve really fallen behind on Dark Horse’s “Buffy” series but I think it’s worth a shout out every now and then in this column. In October, the twelfth season comes to an end and what’s nice is that it’s very clearly billed as a season finale, meaning there is probably more coming very soon.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 11 #12
Christos Gage (W), Rebekah Isaacs (A/Variant cover), Dan Jackson (C), and Steve Morris (Cover)
On sale Oct 25
FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Ongoing
In the season finale, with the lives of both humans and magical beings hanging in the balance, the battle between Buffy—once again the Chosen One—and the Big Bad comes to its zenith . . . And the world will never be the same!
9. Comics Are For Kids
Over the last few months, I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know my sister’s soon to be stepson and one of the things he adores is How To Train Your Dragon. I’ve seen the movie and every tie in thing and well, now I like it. I’ve never read any of the comics Dark Horse has put out for this franchise but I think he’ll like this and if you have any kids in your life who should be reading comics, maybe this is a good place to start.
Dreamworks How to Train Your Dragon: Dragonvine TP (advance solicit)
Dean DeBlois (W), Richard Hamilton (W), Francisco de la Fuente (P), Doug Wheatley (P) Wes Dzioba (C), and Lucas Marangon (Cover)
On sale Jan 24
FC, 80 pages • $10.99 • TP, 6” x 9”
Hiccup, Toothless, and the rest of the dragon riders encounter two deadly, yet mysteriously linked, threats: One is an island consumed by Dragonvine—an uncontrollable force of nature that’s poisonous to humans and deadly to dragons. The other is an all-new, all-terrifying dragon species—the web-spitting Silkspanners!
Writer, director, and producer Dean DeBlois is coplotting these stories.
Stories tie in to the upcoming film.
8. Meme Time
Here’s what I know about The Witcher: Bathtub Geralt. If that’s not every image in this book then I don’t know what the point is.
The Witcher Adult Coloring Book TP (advance solicit)
Marianna Strychowska (P/Cover), Yu-Chen Tang (P), and Scott Wade (P)
On sale Nov 1
b&w, 96 pages • $14.99 • TP, 10” x 10”
Journey along with Geralt, Ciri, Triss, Yennefer, Roach, Shani, and all of your favorite Witcher characters in a variety of fantastic settings . . . all inspired by the hit video game franchise with The Witcher Adult Coloring Book. Featuring uniquely designed and highly detailed black-and-white illustrations inspired by the games; this compilation of exquisitely crafted images is a must-have for Witcher fans worldwide!
7. *DJ Khaled Voice* Another One
Another Gaiman adaptation and I am soon expecting someone to adapt his next grocery list.
I kid, sort of. I think it’s great that so much of his work is still finding people but I kind of wish Dark Horse would collect all these into bigger collections instead of $15 barely 50-page hardcovers.
Continued belowOnly the End of the World Again HC (advance solicit)
Neil Gaiman (W), P. Craig Russell (W), Troy Nixey (A/Cover), and Matthew Hollingsworth (C)
On sale Jan 24
FC, 56 pages • $14.99 • HC, 7” x 10”
This fantasy story blending the worlds of H.P. Lovecraft and Roger Zelazny features an adjustor who sets up shop in Innsmouth only to discover that the world may be ending and that the instrument of destruction is a werewolf.
From the Hugo, Bram Stoker, Locus, World Fantasy, Nebula award–winning, and New York Times bestselling writer Neil Gaiman comes this adaptation by P. Craig Russell, Troy Nixey, and Matthew Hollingworth.
Faithfully adapted from the original text!
6. One Last Fight
“Bankshot” #1 was a really unique comic that continues the hot streak Alex de Campi is on. In October, the miniseries ends and we’re still ways away from it so I’m excited to see how we get to this final showdown. I think anyone who’s liked de Campi’s previous work and enjoys violent, visceral thrillers will love this.
Bankshot #5 (of 5)
Alex de Campi (W), ChrisCross (A/Cover), and Snakebite Cortez (C)
On sale Oct 25
FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
It’s the final bloody (really bloody) showdown with the Dutchman! But the nanotechnology that has served Marcus King so well up until now is gone. Finishing the job will take guts, help from a friend, and a good machete!
“I didn’t think something could be thrilling and sad at the same time but now there’s Black Hammer proving me wrong. Amazing, Just flat-out amazing.”—Patton Oswalt
5. A Huge Turning Point
I’ve made no secret of how much I love “Black Hammer” and while the origins of each of these heroes were compelling, the second volume is really where things take off. Huge twists come into play and what’s great about them is that none of it feels like it is done for shock value. This is meticulously plotted to throw you off of your pre conceived notions of superhero stories.
Black Hammer Volume 2: The Event TP (advance solicit)
Jeff Lemire (W), Dean Ormston (A/Cover), David Rubín (A), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Dec 20
FC, 152 pages • $19.99 • TP, 7” x 10”
When a visitor from the outside world arrives on the Farm, looking for the Black Hammer and bringing news of Spiral City to its Golden Age heroes, everything changes. Her arrival stirs up old memories and awakens new hope in the marooned heroes and they make a new attempt to escape their strange prison.
“This the best superhero comic on the stands.” —IGN
4. A Hellish Tome
“B.P.R.D.” is the workhorse of the Mignolaverse. It’s been where the biggest stories have taken place and it’s run the longest. This huge compendium collects the first three volumes of the amazing series and I think it would be a good place for anyone to start reading, especially if you’ve already seen the Hellboy films. You have enough of a foundation there to jump right into this.
B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth Volume 1 HC (advance solicit)
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), Guy Davis (A), Tyler Crook (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Laurence Campbell (Cover)
On sale Dec 27
FC, 408 pages • $34.99 • HC, 7” x 10”
The plague of frogs has ended, but Earth will never be the same, and the fractured B.P.R.D. struggles to battle dangerous monsters and humans alike, from a trailer-park cult to a Russian town ravaged by a zombie-like virus.
Guy Davis’s final B.P.R.D. story sets the stage for Tyler Crook’s (Harrow County) backwoods-horror debut, as Liz Sherman hides from a world that she helped push toward Armageddon, and Abe Sapien is shot down by a girl who’s seen the world to come.
This deluxe hardcover edition collects B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth volumes 1-3 plus an expanded sketchbook section.
3. The Hand Of The Queen
I’m not really a bust collector but I’ve seen these things in person and the Dark Horse ones are very, very good. The detail on these are amazing and they are weighty. Tyrion is also my favorite character on the show (behind Littlefinger, shut up) so I’m glad to see him get this kind of collectible.
Continued belowGame of Thrones: Tyrion Lannister—Hand of the Queen Bust(advance solicit)
On sale Dec 13
7.5” tall bust • $119.99
Choosing to be on the right side of history, Tyrion sides with Daenerys and gains her full trust in becoming her Hand of the Queen. This limited edition polyresin bust measures in at 7.5” tall, and features the bearded Tyrion wearing the Hand of the Queen pin, and holding his signature goblet of wine, because of course, he drinks and he knows things.
2. Saying Goodbye, Again
I am so bummed about “Zodiac Starforce” ending again but I also can’t wait to get deeper into this story and really get to know the teased UK team. “Zodiac Starforce” is bright, positive and a ton of fun with plenty of butt kicking. I hope that this isn’t the last we see of the series.
Zodiac Starforce: Cries of the Fire Prince #4 (of 4)
Kevin Panetta (W), Paulina Ganucheau (A/Cover), and Sarah Stern (C)
On sale Oct 4
FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
It’s the final showdown between the Zodiac Starforces and the demon Pavos! The US and UK teams must set aside their differences to defeat the demon, but a surprise attack leaves them reeling . . . and one member down.
1. The Expansion of All Expansions
“Black Hammer” pops up twice in this month’s column because, in October, we get the first expansion of the series. “Sherlock Frankenstein & The Legion of Evil” is a spinoff that looks at some of the biggest villains in the “Black Hammer” universe. I don’t know if this is the start of another huge world like the Mignolaverse but I certainly hope so. I think, while there are so many superheroes, there is always room for new ones with a new story to tell. I think “Black Hammer” has done that so far and I hope that this is just the start of something huge.
Sherlock Frankenstein & The Legion of Evil #1 (of 4)
Jeff Lemire (W), David Rubín (A/Cover), Mike Mignola (Variant cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Oct 18
FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
Lucy Weber, daughter of the Black Hammer, grew up to become an investigative reporter for the Global Planet. Now she’s on the hunt for the true story about what happened to Spiral City’s superheroes after they defeated Anti-God and saved the world. All answers seem to lie with the dangerous super villain tenants of Spiral City’s infamous asylum. As she gets closer to the truth she uncovers the dark origin stories of some of her father’s greatest foes, and learns how they tie into the puzzle of what happened to Spiral City’s greatest hero.
Variant cover by Mike Mignola!
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below and check out the full solicitations over at CBR.
