Welcome back to another month of Soliciting Multiversity! As usual, we kick things off this week with the best that Dark Horse has to offer. In June, Dark Horse’s solicits are loaded with advance looks at some great art books and anthologies. Read on for what we think are your best bets in June 2017.
10. A Great Jumping On Point
Dark Horse is very well known for their licensed properties, in particular “Angel” and “Buffy”. I’ve featured each in this column before but you can now preorder the first volume of “Angel Season 11”, which is a great jumping on point for anyone who loved the series.
Angel Season 11 Volume 1: Out of the Past TP (advance solicit)
Corinna Bechko (W), Geraldo Borges (A), Michelle Madsen (C), and Scott Fischer (Cover)
On sale Aug 9 • FC, 104 pages • $17.99 • TP, 7″ x 10″
Angel, a reformed vampire cursed with a soul, is tormented by a vision linking his shameful past to something very big—and very bad—that is coming. As Angel and his friend Fred begin trying to solve the mystery, the goddess Illyria gives Angel some insight and incentive. Then she really gets involved, and Angel discovers that it might be possible to change the future by changing the past.
Collects issues #1–#4 of the series.
9. Anniversary Gal
And speaking of “Buffy”, you can also preorder the first volume of season 11 this month which is another great place to jump in. While I’m not caught up on this season, I can tell you that the previous seasons have been really fun and very different from the show, which has proven to be a good thing.
Buffy Season 11 Volume 1: The Spread of Their Evil . . . TP (advance solicit)
Christos Gage (W), Rebekah Isaacs (A), Georges Jeanty (P), Dexter Vines (I), Dan Jackson (C), and Steve Morris (Cover)
On sale Aug 2 • FC, 160 pages • $19.99 • TP, 7″ x 10″
Buffy and the Scoobies weren’t ready for this. When a tsunami and an enormous dragon devastate San Francisco, folks connected to the supernatural are blamed for causing the catastrophe and soon have restrictions placed on them in the name of safety. Buffy must choose sides, find a way for herself and her friends to survive, determine how the disaster happened, and not lose who she is in the process.
Collects issues #1–#6 of the series.
8. Looking Back On The Architects
Dark Horse publishes a multitude of comics in different genres now but their early days were spent in the horror genre and this year, they will release a collection of one of their most important anthologies. Featuring legendary creators and the frist ever “Beasts of Burden” story, this will be a must have for Dark Horse fans and fans of good comics. I’m excited for this one.
The Dark Horse Book of Horror HC (advance solicit)
Various (W/A)
On sale Aug 23 • FC, 368 pages • $19.99 • HC, 6” x 9”
Mike Mignola, Hellboy, and a roster of great creators and characters explore the dark corners of the horror genre in thirty-five stories of witchcraft, ghosts, and the risen dead.
Originally published in four award-winning anthologies, these stories featured the debut of Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson’s Beasts of Burden series, and standalone stories by Kelley Jones, Kurt Busiek, and many others.
In addition to the comics, Gary Gianni (Hellboy: Into the Silent Sea) illustrates stories by legendary authors such as Robert E. Howard (Conan) and William Hope Hodgson (The House on the Borderland), and Scott Allie interviews experts in the occult fields, including a seance medium and a witch who specializes in love spells.
Collects The Dark Horse Book of Monsters, The Dark Horse Book of Witchcraft, The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings, and The Dark Horse Book of the Dead.
7. Will This Stick Around?
Dark Horse hasn’t had the best track record with series by unknown creators. A few books, most recently “The Shadow Glass” vanished from the schedule and was ultimately put out as a full paperback after releasing just one issue. I think this has a really intriguing concept and I’d like to see it run its course.
Continued belowThe Strange Case of the Disappearing Man #1 (of 6)
Cole Haddon (W), Sebastian Cabrol (A/Cover), and Hernan Cabrera (C)
On sale June 21 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
Inspector Thomas Adye of Scotland Yard is determined to return to normalcy after his run-in with Edward Hyde and Jack the Ripper, and the bizarre cases he’s confronted since—including his most recent, and cold, strange case . . . the disappearing man.
In his investigations, Adye is drawn to a gentleman on a constant quest to experience life in new and vibrant ways. Seduced by the man’s philosophies, Adye begins down an uncertain path that may put him in more danger than he’s ever imagined.
Features horror legends Dorian Gray, Mr. Hyde, the Invisible Man, and many more!
Written by Cole Haddon (Dracula TV series)!
6. A Must Have For Any Hellboy Fan
As someone still finding their way through the huge Hellboy Universe, I love the idea of putting something like this together. The talent here is amazing and the price point is even better. I don’t know how you don’t order this.
Hellboy: An Assortment of Horrors TP (advance solicit)
Christopher Golden (W), Jonathan Maberry (W), Michael Rowe (W), Seanan McGuire (W), Paul Tremblay (W), Laird Barron (W), Chris Priestley (W/A), Chelsea Cain (W), E. Lily Yu (W), Chris Roberson (W), Kealan Patrick Burke (W), Richard Kadrey (W), Weston Ochse (W), Delilah Dawson (W), Angela Slatter (W), Rio Youers (W), Nathan Ballingrud (W), Mike Mignola (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
A must have Hellboy prose Anthology!
On sale Aug 16 • FC, 216 pages • $14.99 • TP, 6″ x 9″
Sixteen of the biggest names in weird literature pay tribute to Hellboy and the characters of Mike Mignola’s award-winning books! Assembled by Joe Golem and Baltimore cowriter Christopher Golden and featuring illustrations by Mignola and Chris Priestley, the anthology boasts original stories by the best in horror, fantasy, and science fiction, including Seanan McGuire (October Daye series), Chelsea Cain (Heartsick), Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger series), and more! The new writer of Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., iZombie cocreator Chris Roberson, pitches in as well, and Chris Priestley (Tales of Terror) provides a story and an illustration!
Each story illustrated by Mike Mignola!
5. YA Lovecraft
Basically everything has been given a young adult adaptation of some kind so really, it should come as no shock that Lovecraft is getting the treatment. “Calla Cthulhu” looks like a ton of fun and again, that price point to page count cannot be beat.
Calla Cthulhu TP (advance solicit)
Evan Dorkin (W), Sarah Dyer (W), Erin Humiston (P/Cover), Mario A. Gonzalez (I), Bill Mudron (C)
On sale Aug 16 • FC, 240 pages • $12.99 • TP, 6″ x 9″
Being a teenager isn’t easy—especially after you learn you carry the bloodline of Lovecraft’s Great Old Ones in your veins. Instead of a summer job and checking out colleges, Calla Tafali finds herself battling supernatural monsters, human assassins, and her uncle, the King in Yellow. She must resist his call to embrace her own chaotic heritage and join the “family business,” as well as prevent the awakening of the terrible deity asleep and dreaming in the corpse city of R’lyeh—the Dread Dead One! Prepare yourself for weird action, adventure, and mystery in the Mighty Mythos Manner!
All-ages adventure from Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer!
4. The Best Murder Mystery, Collected
I’ve reviewed “Dead Inside” for Multiversity in the past and have mentioned it in this column a few times. I’m mentioning it yet again because now you can order the collected edition! I love a good murder mystery but “Dead Inside” really took that and spun it on its head, doing some really interesting things. Fejzula’s art was some of the best I’ve seen in the genre in quite some time so “Dead Inside” is truly the total package.
Continued belowDead Inside Volume 1 TP (advance solicit)
John Arcudi (W), Toni Fejzula (A), and Dave Johnson (Cover)
On sale Aug 2 • FC, 136 pages • $14.99 • TP, 7″ x 10″
The Jail Crimes Division of the Sheriff’s Office in Mariposa County investigates crimes committed inside county jails. With a limited number of suspects who can’t escape, these are usually easy cases to solve—but not this one. As detective Linda Caruso gets closer to the heart of the case, she discovers uncomfortable truths about her friends, her job, and her community.
Collects issues #1–#5.
“Dead Inside is the kind of mystery comic that creeps under your skin, burrows into your brain, and lingers there between issues.”—Cullen Bunn (Harrow County)
3. Oeming On Display
I have been a huge fan of Michael Avon Oeming’s art for years and it isn’t often that I buy art books, but this is a no brainer for me. Oeming has one of the most unique styles and visions in comics today and I’d love to see a more in depth look at his process. This will be a beautiful art book from start to finish.
No Plan B: The Art of Michael Avon Oeming HC (advance solicit)
Michael Avon Oeming (W/A/Cover)
On sale Aug 16 • FC, 184 pages • $39.99 • HC, 9″ x 12″
Michael Avon Oeming never prepared for any way to make a living other than drawing. Now the cocreator of Powers, United States of Murder Inc., Takio, Mice Templar, and more offers an in-depth look into his artistic archives, the creative process, and a career that has touched every corner of the comics industry over the last thirty years.
This book also features an interview with John Siuntres of the Word Balloon podcast about long-term creative partnerships and explores the secrets of thriving through the ups and downs of the comics industry. Previously unpublished artwork includes whole pages from Powers, The Victories, and other series, as well as collaborations with Mike Mignola, Eric Powell, Kevin Smith, Douglas Rushkoff, Gerard Way, and video-game developer Valve.
2. A Perfect Team Up
I am so into Alex de Campi and ChrisCross teaming up for a new miniseries. Individually, the two of them are the most current creators with such unique perspectives so together, they should be unstoppable.
Bankshot #1 (of 5)
Alex de Campi (W), ChrisCross (A/Cover), and Snakebite Cortez (C)
On sale June 28 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
Marcus King: modern-day Robin Hood or terrorist? Maybe both? When Marcus comes face to face with an adversary who knows all of his carefully buried truths, he’s forced to become the man he has always pretended to be. And punch a small army of dudes. And blow up stuff. Lots of stuff.
Written by Eisner nominee Alex de Campi (Archie vs. Predator).
Art by ChrisCross (Convergence: Justice League of America).
1.GO TEAM VENTURE!
Remember when I said that I don’t really buy art books? Well, I’ve got two now that I’ll absolutely need. The Venture Brothers is kind of the last man standing in regards to old school Adult Swim and even though it’s been a real wait between seasons, this show has not lost a step. This is such an amazing project with so much stuff we’ve never been able to see before, so there’s no way any fan of the series can pass this up.
Go Team Venture! The Art and Making of the Venture Bros. HC (advance solicit)
Jackson Publick (W/A), Doc Hammer (W/A), and Ken Plume (W)
On sale Aug 23 • FC, 184 pages • $39.99 • HC, 9” x 12”
Ken Plume sits down with series creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer to have a conversation about the creation of every single episode through season 6 and much more. From the earliest sketches of Hank and Dean scribbled in a notebook to pitching the series to Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, learning the ins and outs of animation, character designs for each season, storyboards, painted backgrounds, and behind-the-scenes recollections of how the show came together—it’s all here.
Foreword by Patton Oswalt!
Featuring never-before-seen artwork from the hit Cartoon Network series!
Original sketches!
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below and check out the full solicitations at CBR.
