overwatch anthology v1 featured Columns 

Soliciting Multiversity: Dark Horse’s Top 10 in August 2017

By | May 29th, 2017
Posted in Columns | % Comments

It’s that time again! Soliciting Multiversity week kicks off, as usual, with what Dark Horse has to offer. August is full of a lot of great advance solicitations of collected editions including some big picks for Overwatch fans. Let’s jump into this month’s top 10.

10. An Expensive Amiibo 

If Vince Ostrowski is reading this, hellooOOOooo and yes, I’m making a joke post based on tweets. Vince like amiibos and this isn’t one but it kinda looks like an expensive one. It’s a nice figure and I’m sure lots of Zelda fans will want to add this to their collection.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Link Figure (advance solicit)
On sale July 26 • 10” Figure • $89.99
This expertly crafted 10” figure is the perfect companion to the hot new Nintendo game. Exacting in all details, on a beautifully decorated base, warrior Link fires an arrow straight into any gamer’s heart. The beautiful package design is a collector’s item in itself! Sales limited to US and Canada only.

9. Halo Is Back Bay-Bay

Admittedly,  I don’t know anything about these games but they are really popular and this comic book tie-in has some A-list talent behind it. That means it has to be good, right?

Halo: Rise of Atriox #1 (of 5)
Cullen Bunn (W), Claire Roe (A), Jeremy Colwell (C), and Aleksi Briclot (Cover)
On sale Aug 2 • FC, 32 pages • $3.99 • Miniseries
An anthology based on 2017’s Halo Wars 2, the real-time strategy video game from 343 Industries, which introduced a new ruthless villain, Atriox.
Atriox, the legendary Brute under the command of the alien collective known as the Covenant, leads a Brute assault against a UNSC military outpost. Wave after wave of Brutes are lost attacking the human outpost defended by a group of UNSC marines, the ruthless Atriox soldiers on. As his comrades fall, Atriox’s hatred for the Covenant grows.
This five-chapter anthology collects stories by acclaimed comics creators Cullen Bunn, Jody Houser, John Jackson Miller, Alex Irvine, Claire Roe, Josan Gonzalez, Jonathan Wayshak, and Tristan Jones.
Ties in to new Halo Wars 2 video game for Xbox One. Released in February 2017.

8. Back At It Again With Those Gaiman Reprints 

I honestly find it amazing that Dark Horse keeps finding new Gaiman books to reprint. This is a very short story that’s only slightly bigger than your average single issue. If you are a completionist, then this is something you’ll need.

Harlequin Valentine HC (Second Edition) (advance solicit)
Neil Gaiman (W) and John Bolton (A/Cover)
On sale Oct 11 • FC, 40 pages • $12.99 • HC, 6 5/8” x 10 3/16”
The story of the legendary commedia dell’arte has been beautifully redesigned in a new hardbound edition. When a buffoonish Harlequin offers his heart to the beautiful, oblivious Columbine, neither of them is prepared for the charming surprise that awaits them both!
Neil Gaiman! John Bolton!
Gorgeously redesigned new edition!
Back in print for the first time in years!

7. A Book As Beautiful As The Show

The Avatar: The Last Airbender comics at Dark Horse have really been all that a fan of the series could have asked for. Solicited in August is the library edition of the most recent completed storyline. For $40 you could do far worse than this. Dark Horse’s library editions are really beautiful books.

Avatar: The Last Airbender—North and South Library Edition HC (advance solicit)
Gene Luen Yang (W), Michael Dante DiMartino (W), Bryan Konietzko (W), and Gurihiru (A/Cover)
On sale Oct 25 • FC, 240 pages • $39.99 • HC, 9” x 12”
When Katara and Sokka return home to the Southern Water Tribe, they are shocked to find that it has gone from a small village to a bustling city! Malina, a Northerner, is behind the change and plans to unify the two groups, but Gilak, a Southerner, leads a fierce rebellion to stop her. In the face of these two opposing tribes, Katara will have to make peace with her nostalgia and distrust to save the home she loves from being permanently torn apart.
This special, oversized edition of Avatar: The Last Airbender—North and South features volumes 1–3 with annotations by writer Gene Luen Yang and artists Gurihiru, as well as a sketchbook section with new, behind-the-scenes material!

Continued below

6. A Steal

Victor Santos is honestly amazing. He’s so underrated and I wish his work was embraced more. This Rashomon story was only printed in Spain but you can pre-order the fully completed story in August. This is absolutely one that I will personally be picking up.

Rashomon: A Commissioner Heigo Kobayashi Case HC (advance solicit)
Victor Santos (W/A/Cover)
On sale Oct 18 • FC, 160 pages • $19.99 • HC, 7” x 10”
When the body of a skilled samurai is found along the road to Yamashina in feudal Japan, the search begins for his killer. Detective Heigo Kobayashi takes the case but finds only dead-end clues and no firsthand witnesses.
Victor Santos (Polar, Violent Love) writes and illustrates a crime and mystery story inspired by Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s tales featuring the heroic commissioner Heigo Kobayashi.
Part 1 was originally only published in Spain; this volume collects both parts in one complete hardcover.

5. Possible Hidden Gem?

There are a lot of things solicited each month from every publisher and that means that some things will fly under the radar. “Gregory Suicide” looks like a really special OGN that will appeal to a lot of readers. Hopefully it won’t be ignored. I know I’ll make it a point to check this out.

Gregory Suicide HC (advance solicit)
Eric Grissom (W) and Will Perkins IV (A/Cover)
On sale Oct 11 • FC, 144 pages • $19.99 • HC, 6” x 9”
The obsolete AI program Gregory wakes in a newly cloned body to a world now unfamiliar to him and is haunted by the memories of his past lives, each one ending in death by his own hand. On the path to discovering the truth about himself, Gregory slips into the trenches of two opposing forces that want to exploit him. In the end, he must take down an AI revolution before it wipes out humanity, and the key to doing so may only lie in the strange visions he has between life and death.
A Dark Horse Original takes us into a frightening future!
Includes bonus sketches, designs, and commentary from the creators of this original, hardcover graphic novel.

4. The Lady Kills Again

“Lady Killer” is so good. It’s just the best. It’s violent, exciting and feminist. Jones struck gold with this series and the sequel is just as great as the first miniseries. If you missed the single issues, this is your chance to fix that.

Lady Killer Volume 2 TP (advance solicit)
Joëlle Jones (W/A/Cover) and Michelle Madsen (C)
On sale Oct 4 • FC, 136 pages • $17.99 • TP, 7” x 10”
The killer housewife is back! The Schuller family has moved to Cocoa Beach, where life carries on as usual. Josie continues to juggle Tupperware parties, her kids, and a few heads—and things don’t get any easier for the entrepreneur hit lady when her past comes back to haunt her.
Collects issues #1–#5 of the series.
“One of the absolute best comics on the shelves today.” —Big Comic Page

3. Hellboy’s Swan Song

I think for many people “Hellboy In Hell” is the greatest Hellboy story ever told. It closed the book on a legendary character in magnificent fashion and I think it would be impossible to argue otherwise. I’ll keep saying it but these library editions are really worth the money.

Hellboy in Hell Library Edition HC (advance solicit)
Mike Mignola (W/A/Cover) and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Oct 4 • FC, 296 pages • $49.99 • HC, 9” x 12”
After sacrificing himself to save the world, this epic conclusion of Hellboy’s story follows him on a journey through Hell, where he once again faces off against the Vampire of Prague, pleads his case when accused of murder, and fulfills his destiny by destroying Pandemonium itself.
This deluxe, oversized hardcover edition collects Hellboy in Hell: The Descent and The Death Card, plus an expanded sketchbook section.
Mignola’s complete Hellboy in Hell saga!
“This is a masterpiece.”—Multiversity Comics

Continued below

2. The Art Of Staying On The Payload

I’ve made it no secret that I don’t play many video games, but let me tell you this – Overwatch is my jam. I adore everything about it, even when Hanzo mains don’t actually protect the payload. I don’t own any art books but there’s a first time for everything. I need to see all the behind the scenes development of my beloved dumpster son, Junkrat.

The Art of Overwatch HC (advance solicit)
Blizzard (W/A/Cover)
On sale Oct 24 • FC, 368 pages • $49.99 • HC, 9” x 12”
When it launched in May 2016, Overwatch took the world by storm, boasting millions of players and gaining critical acclaim. Now, in this beautiful hardcover, Blizzard Entertainment reveals the creative process behind one of the most popular FPS games of all time! Filled with never-before-seen art as well as commentary provided by the game’s development team, this book is sure to please any Overwatch fan!
Essential companion to Overwatch, one of 2016’s most critically acclaimed games!
Introduction and commentary provided by the game’s development team!

1. The Origins We All Need 

This is my list so I made my top 2 picks this month about Overwatch because that’s how I roll. I didn’t start playing the game until last Christmas so I didn’t even know the comics were a thing until recently. This game doesn’t have a single player campaign mode or story mode but it does have lore that’s just begging to be fleshed out even more.

Overwatch: Anthology Volume 1 HC (advance solicit)
Matt Burns (W), Robert Brooks (W), Micky Neilson (W), Andrew Robinson (W), Michael Chu (W), James Waugh (W), Nesskain (I/C), Bengal (I/C), Gray Shuko (I/C), Jeffrey “Chamba” Cruz (I/C), Miki Montlló (I/C/Cover), Joe Ng (I/C), and Espen Grundetjern (C)
On sale Oct 11 • FC, 144 pages • $19.99 • HC, 7” x 10”
From Soldier: 76 to Ana, Tracer to Symmetra, discover the backstories behind Overwatch’s most popular heroes! This hardcover anthology collects the first twelve issues of Blizzard Entertainment’s digital Overwatch comics and features an all-star creative team, including Matt Burns, Robert Brooks, Micky Neilson, Nesskain, Bengal, and more. Whether you are a beginner or a Grandmaster, this anthology is an essential companion to Overwatch gameplay!

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below and check out the full solicitations over at CBR.


//TAGS | Soliciting Multiversity

Jess Camacho

Jess is from New Jersey. She loves comic books, pizza, wrestling and the Mets. She can be seen talking comics here and at Geeked Out Nation. Follow her on Twitter @JessCamNJ for the hottest pro wrestling takes.

EMAIL | ARTICLES



  • -->