With February being the shortest month, that means there will be slightly less comic books coming out. With a Marvel or DC, your big superhero epics will still go on but with a smaller publisher, that slight loss of time is felt a little more. February for Dark Horse is decidedly not a huge month but there’s still some great stuff here. Let’s jump into the picks.
10. Get Your Drink On Like A Khaleesi
This is a very early advance solicit but a cool one nonetheless. Dark Horse has been steadily putting out cool Game of Thrones collectibles the last few years (I own a Littlefinger figure because I am garbage) and this is the more adult of those. These shot glasses will make a great addition to any glass collector’s shelf and perfect for all your Game of Thrones drinking games. Take a shot every time someone says “Winter Is Coming”.
Game of Thrones: Dragon Egg Shot Glass Set(advance solicit)
On sale June 7
Set of three
$14.99
Firewater, anyone? As fans of HBO’s adaptation of Game of Thrones know, Daenerys’s three dragon “children” pack some heat. What better vessel for you and your guests when you do the same?
Boxed as a set in a color package. There is one for each dragon egg: Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion.
9. TANKS!
I have never actually played this game but I’ve seen commercials for it and plenty of ads on various websites. The talent here is good and this kind of feels like the kind thing they’d be really good at. Ezquerra’s art at the very least has to be cool.
World of Tanks TP (advance solicit)
Garth Ennis (W), Carlos Ezquerra (A), P. J. Holden (A), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Isaac Hannaford (Cover)
On sale Apr 19
FC, 120 pages
$16.99
TP, 7” x 10”
Garth Ennis (Preacher, Hellblazer) joins Carlos Ezquerra (Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog), P. J. Holden (2000 AD) to create a tense war story inspired by the massively popular (over 110 million players!) online game World of Tanks. An untested British crew inadvertently commands an unconventional Cromwell tank into France while hunted by a hardened German Panzer unit. Collects the five-issue miniseries.
“Gaming fans will likely want to play World of Tanks as soon as they’re done reading it. As for the comic book, this is realism at its finest and a sure bet for your pull list.” —All-Comic
8. In Space…Yeah, You Know The Rest Already
The first book in this series made it to this list in a past edition. Before the franchise got unnecessary sequels and a sort of prequel, the comics carried on the story of these legendary creatures and characters. Great addition to the library of any Aliens fan.
Aliens: The Original Comics Series Volume 2 HC (advance solicit)
Mark Verheiden (W), Den Beauvais (A/Cover), and Sam Kieth (A)
On sale Apr 12
b&w, 224 pages
$39.99
HC, 8” x 12”
Long before Alien3 was even a glint in director David Fincher’s eye, Dark Horse Comics was already crafting a terrifying post-Aliens continuity for Ripley, Hicks, and Newt.
These are the original stories that took the comics market by storm in a prestige collection of the unabridged and unadulterated series. Collects Aliens: Nightmare Asylum #1–#4 and Aliens: Female War #1–#4.
7. He Came Here To Slay and Chew Bubble Gum
And he’s all out of bubblegum! “Conan The Slayer” is a pretty cool, self contained Conan series that kicks all kinds of ass. If you’re a fan of Conan than this is definitely a can’t miss.
Continued belowConan the Slayer Volume 1: Blood in His Wake TP (advance solicit)
Cullen Bunn (W), Sergio Dávila (A), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Lee Bermejo (Cover)
On sale Apr 26
FC, 152 pages
$19.99
TP, 7” x 10”
Alone, on the brink of death, and with nothing but his sword, Conan of Cimmeria finds refuge in a camp of Kozaki raiders. As Conan’s wounds heal, he gains acceptance into the clan . . . only to discover that mortal danger is closer than ever. Penned by Cullen Bunn (Harrow County) and with art by Sergio Dávila (Red Sonja), this volume collects issues #1–#6 of Conan the Slayer!
“A strong story with fierce imagery. Long may this Conan make his way.” —SciFiPulse
6. The Best Anthology In Comics Is Still Going Strong
As this is a lean month, I figure I’d use this spot to plug “Dark Horse Presents” again. This is the best anthology series going because it actually caters to every comic book fan. With varying stories and talent, there’s always something in here for everyone. The February issue sees a lot of stories ending but there’s still time to catch up or even get your pre-order in for March’s issue!
Dark Horse Presents #31
Paul Levitz (W), Carla Speed McNeil (W/A/Cover), Kaare Andrews (W), Dean Haspiel (W/A), John Nadeau (W/A), Dan Jolley (W), Francesco Francavilla (W/A), Tim Hamilton (A), and Troy Nixey (A)
On sale Feb 15
FC, 48 pages
$4.99
Ongoing
This month’s Dark Horse Presents offering is an issue with plenty of exciting conclusions! Dean Haspiel’s The Red Hook, Dan Jolley and John Nadeau’s Murder Society, Francesco Francavilla’s The Black Beetle, and Kaare Andrews, Troy Nixey, and Dave McCaig’s The Black Sinister all come to a close.
Continuing this month are Paul Levitz and Tim Hamilton’s paranormal crime drama Brooklyn Blood and Carla Speed McNeil’s aboriginal sci-fi Finder.
48 pages for just $4.99!
Featuring Francesco Francavilla’s Black Beetle!
“Dark Horse Presents . . . is a must-read for any and all comic book fans, both casual and hardcore.” —ComicBooked.com
5. Hang On, Soupy
“Soupy Leaves Home” has a really interesting premise and I’m eager to see how it tackles such serious subject matter for a broader, younger audience. Castellucci is doing some great stuff over at DC with “Shade, The Changing Girl” and Pimienta’s art looks really delightful. My biggest nitpick is the idea of being “reborn” as a boy named Soupy. I worry about how this will approach that in a way that’s respectful to trans men but I’m willing to give it a shot.
Soupy Leaves Home TP (advance solicit)
Cecil Castellucci (W) and Jose Pimienta (A/Cover)
On sale Apr 19
FC, 208 pages
$14.99
TP, 6” x 9”
Pearl Plankette ran away from her home to escape an abusive father and an unhappy future. Disguised and reborn as a boy named Soupy, she hitches her star to an unlikely hobo, and they begin their journey from the cold heartbreak of their eastern homes toward the sunny promise of California in this train-hopping, Depression-era coming-of-age tale.
From Shuster Award-winning and Eisner-nominated writer Cecil Castellucci!
An original graphic novel!
Perfect for younger readers!
4. The Magic Ride Ends
“Spell On Wheels” hasn’t blown me away but it’s been a really fun miniseries so far. Levens and Louise are amazing together on art and the story has had some really relatable but equally silly moments. I’m in it for the long haul so I’m eager to see how it all ends.
Spell on Wheels #5 (of 5)
Kate Leth (W), Megan Levens (A), Marissa Louise (C), and Joe Quinones (Cover)
On sale Feb 15
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
The witches head out to recover the last of their magical possessions, but they soon discover they’re in a fight for their lives and the bad guy is not who they expected!
“It’s an interesting brew of a cup full of Charmed, a pinch of Buffy, and a dash of Supernatural—that should please fans of supernatural comics—with a Nancy Drew twist.” —Outright Geekery
3. A Visitor Approaches
I am not as well versed as our own Mark Tweedale in all things Mignolaverse but this is definitely something I’m interested in. “The Visitor” is going to shine a light on a different part of this universe that we really haven’t seen expanded upon so much and with Hellboy’s ending already told, it is great to see how much there is still left to comb through.
Continued belowThe Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #1 (of 5)
Mike Mignola (W), Chris Roberson (W), Paul Grist (A/Cover), and Bill Crabtree (C)
On sale Feb 22
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
In 1944 Hellboy was conjured in a ceremony meant to give Hitler the ultimate occult weapon. Fortunately, Professor Trevor Bruttenholm was there to witness, and to guide Hellboy to become the greatest paranormal detective in the world. But Bruttenholm wasn’t the only witness to Hellboy’s arrival. A visitor was there, sent to kill the Beast that had been prophesied to kill us all. What the visitor saw, and why he stayed his hand, leads to the most mysterious Hellboy spinoff yet …
Paul Grist (Kane, Jack Staff) joins the Mignolaverse!
2. A Murder Mystery With Actual Mystery
I’ve had the opportunity to read the first two issues of “Dead Inside” and let me tell you, this is good stuff. A weak murder mystery puts too much up front and it’s far too obvious who the killer is too early. “Dead Inside” is smart and exciting and Fejzula’s art is fantastic.
Dead Inside #3 (of 5)
John Arcudi (W), Toni Fejzula (A), André May (C), and Dave Johnson (Cover)
On sale Feb 15
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Detective Linda Caruso has been focusing on the crime scene itself: a brutal murder inside the Mariposa County Jail. But as she keeps asking questions that no one wants to answer, she learns that what’s been happening outside those heavily guarded walls is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
1. The Gift That Keeps Giving
There are very few creations that have given as much as Hellboy. Even with “Hellboy In Hell” telling the ending for this character, there are still multiple spinoffs still going very strong and early next year, we get another standalone graphic novel that tells a tale in another part of Hellboy’s history. I’ll be picking this up and I hope that we continue to get more books like this.
Hellboy: Into the Silent Sea HC (advance solicit)
Mike Mignola (W/Cover), Gary Gianni (W/A), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Apr 19
FC, 56 pages
$14.99
HC, 7” x 10”
Hellboy sets sail from the wreckage of a deserted island only to cross paths with a ghost ship. Taken captive by the phantom crew that plans to sell him to the circus, Hellboy is dragged along by a captain who will stop at nothing in pursuit of a powerful sea creature. Following the events of Hellboy: The Island, Gary Gianni draws Hellboy in a brand-new graphic novel.
Original hardcover graphic novel!
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below and check out the full solicitations over at CBR.
