This year is flying by and honestly, it’s been a weird one. Dark Horse in May is a little lean but that doesn’t mean the quality isn’t there. May features a lot of collections worth pre-ordering and the return of one of my favorite series. Let’s jump into the picks.
10. Rucka And Fantasy: A Match Made In Heaven
Greg Rucka is one of the very best writers in comic books right now and one of his strong suits is world building. “Lazarus” has one of the richest histories of any ongoing series and he’s shown the same ability in his “Star Wars” work. “Dragon Age” lends itself to his skills so this collected edition is a must buy for fans of his work and the game.
Dragon Age: Magekiller TP (advance solicit)
Greg Rucka (W), Carmen Carnero (P), Terry Pallot (I), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Sachin Teng (Cover)
On sale July 27
FC, 104 pages
$14.99
TP, 7” x 10”
Tessa and Marius are mercenary partners who eliminate those that use magic to hurt others. When they betray a powerful patron intending to kill them, they’re forced to flee and join the Inquisition. Collects issues #1–#5 of the miniseries.
9. Because You Can Never Have Enough Toys
I like to spotlight new toys on here because Dark Horse puts some effort into these Game of Thrones figurines. I own the Littlefinger figure they put out last year and the quality is very good. The price isn’t too high for what you get and I have a feeling this guy is going to be big next season.
Game of Thrones: The Night King Figure(advance solicit)
On sale Sept 14
8” figure
$24.99
One of the most dramatic moments in season 5 of HBO’s adaptation of Game of Thrones is when the Night King, demonic leader of the White Walkers, raises the fallen Wildlings in the aftermath of the massacre at Hardhome.
We have captured the sinister nature of the Night King in this highly detailed 8” figure.
8. Big Pre-Order Reminder
I haven’t had the chance to read this yet but I feel like “House of Penance” is going to be a big horror miniseries once it hits. Use this as a reminder to get the first issue and pre-order the rest of it.
House of Penance #2 (of 6)
Peter Tomasi (W), Ian Bertram (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale May 11
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Sarah Winchester’s house is always under construction—the banging of hammers keeps her demons at bay. Her construction crew of vagrants and murderers build, tear down, and rebuild the mansion according to her visions. But her newest employee, Warren Peck, has brought some demons of his own . . .
• A historical tale of horror from creator Peter Tomasi (Batman and Robin, Green Lantern)!
7. A Modern Private Eye
“Mystery Girl” is a really cute but compelling mystery book with a lead character that’s instantly likable. It’s a book that has flown under the radar for a lot of people so hopefully you’ll change that when you pre-order the first volume this spring.
Continued belowMystery Girl Volume 1 TP (advance solicit)
Paul Tobin (W), Alberto J. Alburquerque (A/Cover), and Marissa Louise (C)
On sale July 6
FC, 120 pages
$12.99
TP, 7” x 10”
Trine Hampstead knows everything. Ask her a question like “Where are my keys?” or “Is he cheating on me?” or “How are there perfectly preserved mammoths in recent ice?” and she just knows. She’s the Mystery Girl. The only things Trine doesn’t know are anything else from the last ten years of her life or why a killer has targeted her! Collects Mystery Girl #1–#4.
“Paul Tobin is a master storyteller and Mystery Girl will only add to his mythos.”—Pop Culture Uncovered
“Mystery Girl is exciting, filled with energy, and has a lot to offer in its story hook.”—Comicosity
6. Early Buzz
I included this on the list last month and while I still have yet to read it the early buzz from creators and critics is positive. Like “House of Penance”, use this as a reminder to order the new Matt Kindt book that promises to be great.
Dept. H #2
Matt Kindt (W/A/Cover) and Sharlene Kindt (C)
On sale May 18
FC, 28 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Matt Kindt’s survival sci-fi series continues!
Mia’s investigation into the sabotage of an underwater station becomes complicated by the disappearance of a loved one, the loss of communications with the world above, and a confrontation with a giant squid and other strange creatures of the deep.
“Like a cross between sci-fi Jack London, The Abyss and the criss-cross espionage of Kindt’s previous material, there is no element of this new project we’re not ecstatically awaiting.”—Paste Magazine
5. A Retro Fave
“Mister X” is something that has been around for a couple of decades now but seems to fly under the radar of a lot of people. Creators like Gilbert Hernandez and Jamie Hernandez have worked on stories featuring the character and for the first time, Dark Horse will collect everything they’ve published in a glorious limited edition book. This is a bit pricey but will find a niche audience.
Mister X: The Modern Age Ltd. Ed. HC (advance solicit)
Dean Motter (W/A/Cover) and Hamid Bahrami (I/C)
On sale July 6
FC, 368 pages
$100.00
Ltd. Ed. HC, 6″ x 10 3/16″
This deluxe hardcover collects, for the first time, every Mister X comic published by Dark Horse, including Condemned, Eviction, and Razed, along with never-before-seen behind-the-scenes material!
In the retrofuturistic metropolis of Radiant City, its mysterious creator, Mister X, must protect the city and its residents, as the architecture of the city poses a danger to all those within it!
• Limited to only 500 copies, each signed by creator Dean Motter!
4. Another “Dark Horse Presents” Story Makes The Leap
This isn’t the first story from “Dark Horse Presents” to get a collected edition and it certainly won’t be the last but it’s always exciting when it happens. I love anthologies and I especially love “DHP” but they are a tough sell in the U.S. I haven’t read this particular story but this cover has a lot of stuff happening and I’m absolutely intrigued.
Dream Gang TP(advance solicit)
Brendan McCarthy (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 27
FC, 112 pages
$14.99
TP, 7” x 10”
To stop a psychic bomb that threatens to render all of humanity catatonic, the last Dream Voyager awakens! When the evil Zeirio goes on a rampage throughout the Dreamworlds, it’s up to a new generation of the Dream Gang to put him down. From the fertile mind of Brendan McCarthy—the cowriter/designer of Mad Max: Fury Road and a contributor to Dark Horse Presents and 2000 AD! Collects Dream Gang chapters from DHP #1–#4, #7–#10, and #14–#17.
• Features new artwork and remastered lettering for this collection.
“Brendan McCarthy’s art with the bright, trippy coloring looks great in or out of context.”—AiPT!
3. Don’t Call It A Comeback
The Hellboy universe is massive and it’s no secret that we here at Multiversity are huge fans of it. May marks the return of Lobster Johnson in a brand new miniseries. The miniseries format allows for a certain level of ease in jumping in so even with a little knowledge of the character, you may find that this is a decent place to start.
Continued belowLobster Johnson: Metal Monsters of Midtown #1 (of 3)
John Arcudi (W), Tonci Zonjic (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale May 25
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
A trio of skyscraping robots crash into a Manhattan bank and leave Lobster Johnson with two mysteries to solve: what is behind the massive machines, and why would the robots pull a heist without taking a penny?
2. When Kickstarters Cross Over
Running a Kickstarter is tough work but when you’re Gene Ha, you make it look easy. “Mae”, which I unfortunately missed out on backing, earned a whole lot of money on Kickstarter and Dark Horse has picked it up. This doesn’t happen as often as you’d think but when it does, it’s great because it shows that publishers are paying attention to what’s being funded. Also Gene Ha.
Mae #1
Gene Ha (W/A/Cover) and Frank Cho (Variant Cover)
On sale May
FC, 40 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
When she was just a girl, Abbie discovered a portal to a fantasy world and for the last couple of years has been having great adventures there: defeating horrible monsters, power-mad scientists, and evil nobles. She was a celebrated action hero! But when she turned twenty-one it all came apart and she decided to return home. Her sister, Mae, has had no idea what happened to Abbie all this time. Her tales are too hard to believe; that is, until the monsters and other terrible creatures start to cross over to our world . . .
• A new series from four time Eisner-winning artist Gene Ha!
1.FINALLY
I love “Beasts of Burden” so, so much and it coming back has made me so happy. “Beasts of Burden” focuses on a team of intelligent animals who investigate paranormal things that happen in their town. It’s funny, it’s sort of adorable and Jill Thompson’s art is fantastic. It won a ton of awards in the early 2000’s and this new one shot promises to be a good place to jump in. You should check out the whole series but absolutely put this at the top of you pre-order list this month.
Beasts of Burden: What the Cat Dragged In
Evan Dorkin (W), Sarah Dyer (W), and Jill Thompson (A/Cover)
On sale May 4
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
One-shot
This standalone adventure is a perfect entry point for readers new to the award-winning series. When curiosity gets the best of Burden Hill’s cats (and one reluctant raccoon), sleeping demons are awakened and black magic is unleashed on the town of Burden Hill.
• Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson return to the characters that won them the 2005 Eisner Award for Best Short Story!
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments and make sure you check out the full solicits over at CBR.
