2016 has kind of been a weird year in a lot of ways and while we aren’t out of it yet, our solicitations are. January is a bit of a weird month for this list because almost all of the really worthwhile stuff here are trades that are being solicited in advance. With that said, let’s jump into the picks and talk about some cool new comics.
10. A Lesser Known Crossover
Until seeing the first volume solicited some time ago, I didn’t know this existed. I’m sure some of you who have been around much longer than I can attest to how good the stories were but I’m eager to read whatever kind of madness this is.
Dark Horse Comics/DC Comics: Justice League Volume 2 TP (advance solicit)
Ron Marz (W), Peter David (W), John Ostrander (W), Pop Mhan (P), Todd Nauck (P), Rick Leonardi (P), Graham Nolan (P/Cover), Norman Lee (I), Jaime Mendoza (I), Mike Perkins (I), Igor Kordey (P/I), Randy Elliott (I/Cover), Guy Major (C), Dave Stewart (C), Chris Chuckry (C), and Jim Sinclair (C)
On sale Mar 8
FC, 336 pages
$24.99
TP, 7″ x 10″
In the return of these crossover comics, the JLA take on Predators—in adaptive superhero form! Batman teams up with Tarzan to resist the claws of the Cat-Woman. Kyle Rayner must don the mantle of Green Lantern to turn back a tide of Aliens. Superteens Spyboy and Young Justice must defeat nightmarish foes. Collects JLA versus Predator, Batman/Tarzan: Claws of the Cat-Woman, Green Lantern versus Aliens, and Spyboy/Young Justice: Young Spies Like Us.
9. This Isn’t “Spider-Woman”
Milo Manara caught some flack over a badly drawn “Spider-Woman” cover but as many said, it isn’t indicative of his work. He’s not someone you’d ever want on a superhero title but his own, erotica work is some of the best. Dark Horse has been publishing collected editions of some of his past work and if you’re into the European style of comics, this is right up your alley.
The Manara Library Volume 1: Indian Summer and Other Stories TP (advance solicit)
Hugo Pratt (W) and Milo Manara (W/A/Cover)
On sale Mar 8
FC, 208 pages
$29.99
TP, 8″ x 10″
The Manara Library Volume 1 is now in paperback!
This first volume includes two of Manara’s seminal works: the sweeping, epic Indian Summer, a collaboration with celebrated creator Hugo Pratt, and Manara’s The Paper Man, both painstakingly translated by Euro comics expert Kim Thompson.
“I picked this up on a whim, hoping to see some good Manara art, and I ended up reading a masterpiece.”—Comics Bulletin
8. The Clues Are In The Shadows
Writer Van Jensen used to be a crime reporter before coming into the comics industry and with “Cryptocracy” it shows. This was a solid miniseries full of twists, turns and conspiracies and it’s a shame it didn’t run longer. The full miniseries has been collected and up for pre-order and if you like any of his superhero work, you’ll enjoy this.
Cryptocracy TP (advance solicit)
Van Jensen (W) and Pete Woods (A/Cover)
On sale Mar 29
FC, 152 pages
$19.99
TP, 7″ x 10″
For time beyond memory, the Nine Families watched from the shadows, believing themselves shepherds and manipulating whole societies as they saw fit. Nothing happened that they didn’t observe or control. Outsiders knew naught of the Families, much less threatened them. Until now. Collects issues #1–#6 of the series.
“Cryptocracy sets up a grand stage that will play out for years, and creates enough questions that it leaves the reader enthralled after the last panel.”—Capeless Crusader
7. A Celebration Worth Attending
2017 will mark the 100th birthday and this collector’s edition will be released in conjunction with a big event in France. Will Eisner is a pioneer in comics who’s work still influences people today. He’s someone who’s contributions to the medium will never be forgotten and despite the price of this book, this will be a must have hardcore fans.
Continued belowWill Eisner: The Centennial Celebration, 1917–2017 HC & Ltd. Ed. HC (advance solicit)
Will Eisner (W/A), Jean-Pierre Mercier (W), Denis Kitchen (W), Paul Gravett (W), and John Lind (W)
On sale March 22
FC, 176 pages
$49.99
HC, 10” x 14”
On sale March 22
FC, 176 pages
$99..99
Ltd. Ed. HC, 10” x 14”
Will Eisner’s innovative storytelling, layouts, and art on The Spirit inspired a generation, and his acclaimed run of graphic novels beginning with 1978’s A Contract with God helped pioneer the form. This catalog includes original artwork from the landmark Will Eisner Centennial Celebration exhibitions taking place in 2017 at Le Musée de la Bande Dessinée and the Society of Illustrators. Dual English/French text.
• The limited edition is limited to 100 copies and includes a signature from Will Eisner!
6. A Useful Tool
I’m surprised it’s taken Dark Horse to do this but better late than never. These kinds of cheap anthologies that let people sample a lot of different books could hypothetically have some use. I don’t know if they work first hand but everyone has done them, so I would assume they do work. This is a good collection so hopefully it brings in more readers.
Dark Horse Number Ones TP(advance solicit)
Cullen Bunn (W), Matt Kindt (W/A), Gerard Way (W), Joëlle Jones (W/A), Jamie S. Rich (W), Kurtis Wiebe (W), Mike Mignola (W/A), Jeff Lemire (W), Brian Wood (W), Tyler Crook (A), Dean Ormston (A), Mack Chater (A), Gabriel Bá (A), Mindy Lee (A), Sharlene Kindt (C), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Mar 29
FC, 224 pages
$6.00
TP, 7″ x 10″
Dark Horse’s top talent invite you to find your next binge read! This anthology includes Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá’s The Umbrella Academy #1, Mike Mignola’s Hellboy in Hell #1, Joëlle Jones and Jamie S. Rich’s Lady Killer #1, Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston’s Black Hammer #1, Matt and Sharlene Kindt’s Dept. H #1, Brian Wood and Mack Chater’s Briggs Land #1, Kurtis Wiebe and Mindy Lee’s Bounty #1, and Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook’s Harrow County #1.
A deeply discounted collection of first issues for new or curious readers.
5. Not Your Granpappy’s Western
This is a title I’ve mentioned before in this column but now with the TPB out, it’s the perfect time to put it back on your radar. “Kingsway West” is not like any western you’ve ever read and I love every bit of it. It’s going to make a great read in one sitting.
Kingsway West TP (advance solicit)
Greg Pak (W), Mirko Colak (A/Cover), and Wil Quintana (C)
On sale Mar 8
FC, 112 pages
$14.99
TP, 7″ x 10″
After spending thirteen years in a war that made him a monster, a Chinese gunslinger named Kingsway Law just wants to live in peace with his wife, Sonia. But even in a fantastical Old West crackling with magic, a man of his skills can never quite disappear. So when a woman with a red-gold sword brings bloody chaos to his doorstep, Kingsway must fight for his life, his wife, and his very soul.
Collects issues #1–#4 of the series.
“Kingsway West #1 is a new kind of western that the genre needs in order to go through a resurgence and metamorphosis.”—Geeked Out Nation.
4. Angel Returns
Like the long running “Buffy” series, Angel the vampire has found a lot of success at Dark Horse. In January, his next season begins but unlike the last one, he’ll be far more on his own than he was in his partnership with Faith. It’s a new start and probably a really good place for those interested to jump right in.
Continued belowAngel Season 11 #1
Corinna Bechko (W), Geraldo Borges (A), Michelle Madsen (C), Scott Fischer (Cover), Jeff Dekal (Variant cover), and Bilquis Evely (Ultravariant cover)
On sale Jan 18
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Vampire Angel is tormented by a vision linking his shameful past to something very big—and very bad—that is coming. 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.
• Writer Corinna Bechko (Tomb Raider, Star Wars) brings you the vampire Angel in his own series!
• Featuring Fred and Illyria!
3. A Different Point Of View
Superhero comic books don’t really have many henchpeople anymore and it’s kind of a sad loss in a weird sense. “Henchgirl” takes a look at what it’s like to be an actual henchperson for a supervillain but through a more comedic sense. I haven’t read this but I’ve got friends who swear by it. I’m excited for this.
Henchgirl TP (advance solicit)
Kristen Gudsnuk (W/A/Cover)
On sale Mar 29
FC, 304 pages
$17.99
TP, 7″ x 10″
Mary Posa hates her job. She works long hours for little pay, no insurance, and worst of all, no respect. Her coworkers are jerks, and her boss doesn’t appreciate her. He’s also a supervillain. Cursed with a conscience, Mary would give anything to be something other than a henchgirl.
From the illustrator of Little, Brown Books’ VIP: I’m With the Band. Collects issues #1-#11 from Scout Comics.
“It’s a terribly fun read.”—io9
2. The Best Superhero Title Going
I promised I wouldn’t keep talking about “Black Hammer” but this month’s solicits offer the first trade paperback and I can’t ignore that. If you like the superhero genre and you love the non superhero work of Jeff Lemire, then you need this. This is Lemire taking a “Sweet Tooth” approach to superheroes and it’s fantastic. Ormston will knock you off your feet with his artwork and honestly, there’s very few better books than this going right now.
Black Hammer Volume 1: Secret Origins TP (advance solicit)
Jeff Lemire (W), Dean Ormston (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Mar 29
FC, 152 pages
$17.99
TP, 7″ x 10″
Once they were heroes. Now, banished from existence by a multiversal crisis, the old champions of Spiral City lead simple lives in a timeless farming town. But as they attempt to free themselves from this strange purgatory, a mysterious stranger works to bring them back into action for one last adventure! Collects issues #1–#6 of the series.
“If you think there’s no room left in your life for another superhero comic, Black Hammer might just prove you wrong.”—IGN
1. REIGN IN BLOOOOOOOD!!!
We live in a world where there is a Slayer comic book based on their music videos coming out and I’m ecstatic. I love things like this and honestly, Slayer could be a fun world of music to play in. Dark Horse loves horror and Vilanova’s art (from what I’ve seen in the past) is a good fit. Is it going to be the number one selling comic in the year 2017? No. But you never know, it could be good.
Slayer: Repentless #1 (of 3)
Jon Schnepp (W), Guiu Vilanova (A), Glenn Fabry (Cover), and Eric Powell (Variant cover)
On sale Jan 25
FC, 32 pages
$4.99
Miniseries
The planet’s most badass metal band takes control of comics! The ultimate thrash juggernaut, Slayer has dominated stages and destroyed audiences for over thirty years, with their latest album, Repentless, showing no signs of slowing down or showing mercy. Based on the brutal Repentless videos, this expansion of the video story lines drives deep into the darkest heart of America, a raging road trip down a bloodstained highway, a tale of the doomed, the damned . . . and the repentless!
• Story based on the Slayer videos written and directed by B. J. McDonnell (Hatchet III).
• Script by director/producer Jon Schnepp (Metalocalypse, The Venture Bros., The Death of Superman Lives).
“We’re telling the story that we’ve always told about society and how humans treat each other.”—Tom Araya, Slayer
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below and read the full solicits over at CBR
