Ah November. Football is in full swing and everyone starts stressing over the holidays. Thankfully I’m here to make your comic book preorders easy. Let’s jump into what Dark Horse has to offer in November.
10. This Is Getting Out of Hand
At this point I’m including all these Neil Gaiman adaptations/reprints solely because there are so many. It’s fun to see how long I can keep this going. I am a Gaiman fan so it is kind of cool seeing all this work of his come out.
Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire HC (advance solicit)
Neil Gaiman (W), Shane Oakley (A/C/Cover), and Nick Filardi (C)
On sale Jan 25
FC, 48 pages
$17.99
HC, 7″ x 10″
A celebrated send-up of gothic literature, beautifully adapted into a dark, brooding, and oddly comical graphic novel. Somewhere in the night, a raven caws, an author’s pen scratches, and thunder claps. The author wants to write nonfiction: stories about frail women in white nightgowns, mysterious bumps in the night, and the undead rising to collect old debts. But he keeps getting interrupted by the everyday annoyances of talking ravens, duels to the death, and his sinister butler.
• Shane Oakley beautifully illustrates New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman’s satirical tale.
“It’s about what fantasy is, and why we write it, and what it would mean to write fantasy if you lived in a Gothic universe.” — Neil Gaiman
9. Not That Civil War, Or That One
Dark Horse’s Avatar graphic novels have been really successful and this is the second part of the latest story written by “New Super-Man” writer Gene Luen Yang. I’m terribly behind on all of this but for fans of the show, these are must reads.
Avatar: The Last Airbender — North and South Part Two TP (advance solicit)
Gene Luen Yang (W), Michael Dante DiMartino (W), Bryan Konietzko (W), and Gurihiru (A/Cover)
On sale Jan 25
FC, 80 pages
$10.99
TP, 6″ x 9″
After attempting to kidnap Katara and Sokka, Southerner Gilak leaves a haunting note for Hakoda: “Soon you will see the truth, Chieftain.” The vow leaves everyone on edge — including Katara, who remains wary of the two tribes’ integration. As Northerner Malina announces a partnership with the company owned by Toph Beifong’s father, her own brother comes forward with a revelation that shocks everyone. Have Katara’s worst fears been confirmed?
8. High Fantasy Worth a Second Look
Like a couple of series last year, “The Shadow Glass” did not get see it’s full run in print. Thankfully Dark Horse is publishing a full collected edition of the series so it’ll at least be available. I thought this was off to a really decent start and I’m sad it never got to thrive.
The Shadow Glass TP(advance solicit)
Aly Fell (W/A/Cover)
On sale Jan 4
FC, 200 pages
$19.99
TP, 7″ x 10″
A young student to England’s greatest occultist learns her real father is in league with the devil. When Rose finds out that the man who raised her isn’t her father, she ignores his warnings about the terrible secrets of her own past and seeks answers from childhood teacher Dr. John Dee, the queen’s occult adviser. Collects The Shadow Glass #1-#6.
“A character-driven story with hints of mystery and a dark ritual for a backdrop. The characterization is excellent, the dialogue is solid, and the artwork is gorgeous to look at.” — Bounding Into Comics
7. Dark Horse Does YA
“Mae” was a title I had mentioned on here a while back but sadly never got the chance to read. That will change with the release of the first trade paperback. I’ve seen some positive buzz on Twitter for this book so I’m excited to check it out. If you like young adult fantasy series, this seems to be right up your alley.
Continued belowMae Volume 1 TP (advance solicit)
Gene Ha (W/A/Cover), Rose McClain (C), Paulina Ganucheau (A), and Wesley Hartman (C)
On sale Jan 25
FC, 136 pages
$17.99
TP, 7″ x 10″
When she was just a girl, Abbie discovered a portal to a fantasy world and has since had great adventures there: defeating horrible monsters, power-mad scientists, and evil nobles. But when she turned twenty-one it all came apart and she decided to return home. Her sister, Mae, had no idea what happened to Abbie all this time, and Abbie’s tales are too hard to believe — that is, until the monsters and other terrible creatures start to cross over to our world… Collects issues #1-#5.
• Gene Ha’s first creator-owned work since Alan Moore’s Top 10!
• An all-ages fantasy adventure!
“Smooth and satisfying, Ha’s solo effort is something for all fans of subverted fantasy.” — Multiversity Comics
6. A Hauntingly Beautiful Horror Must
Dark Horse has a great history with darker science fiction and horror and “House of Penance” is one of the strongest horror series they’ve published in the last few years. This flew under the radar but Bertram’s art deserves a lot more attention. It’s so freaky but you can’t take your eyes off it.
House of Penance TP (advance solicit)
Peter J. Tomasi (W), Ian Bertram (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Jan 11
FC, 176 pages
$19.99
TP, 7″ x 10″
A horrific take on the true story of the Winchester haunted house and one woman’s mission to wash away the blood curse of the Winchester rifle from claiming her own life and soul.
This is a tale of guilt, ghosts, and guns… of how fortune brings misfortune as a grim and determined woman oversees the construction of a house twenty-four hours a day for twenty years, with the simple motto of keep busy building or get busy dying. Collects the six-issue miniseries.
“Highly expressionistic and dripping with atmosphere, House of Penance will haunt you long after you close the issue.” — The Fandom Post
5. A Fresh Start
Buffy and the Scoobies lives on at Dark Horse and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon. Season 11 gets started in November and while this isn’t talked about as much, it has paved the way for a lot of successful licensed books along the way. Gage and Isaacs have been a rock solid team so I’m glad to see them back together for this new season.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 11 #1
Christos Gage (W), Rebekah Isaacs (A/Variant cover), Dan Jackson (C), Steve Morris (Cover), and Karl Moline (30th anniversary variant cover)
On sale Nov 23
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Life is good for Buffy and the Scoobies with everyone finally finding a happy and calm place in their lives. But when a supernatural disaster wreaks havoc on their very existence, and the entire city of San Francisco, they are forced back into fighting form.
• Rebekah Isaacs and Christos Gage return for Season 11!
• Catch “deleted scenes” on the variant covers from Rebekah Isaacs and Christos Gage!
• Special 30th anniversary variant by Fray artist Karl Moline!
4. The Most Original Western In Years
“Kingsway West” has only seen one issue released so far but it was easily the freshest feeling western in a long time. Thanks to it’s non white perspective, it allows itself to fully embrace western tropes without falling back on lazy racism. It’s a beautiful book visually and I really hope this isn’t the last we see of this world.
Continued belowKingsway West #4 (of 4)
Greg Pak (W), Mirko Colak (A/Cover), and Wil Quintana (C)
On sale Nov 23
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
In an Old West overrun with magic, the outlaw Kingsway Law, the swordswoman Ah Toy, and the winged scout Strode plunge into their final battle, defending a group of Chinese miners against the Engineer of New York. But what happens when Kingsway must choose between the community that needs him and the lost wife he so desperately wishes to find?
3. The New “Watchmen”?
So that’s a click baity style title cause I saw someone on Twitter say this. “Black Hammer” is not “Watchmen”. This is doing something very different and more an homage to pulp sci fi heroes than Superman. Lemire and Ormston are doing something special here and it’s a series that feels very “important”.
Black Hammer #5
Jeff Lemire (W/Variant cover), Dean Ormston (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Nov 16
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Of the exiled heroes, only Colonel Weird can leave the mysterious farm where they’ve spent the last ten years. But the confusion of the Para-Zone may hamper their escape more than it helps!
• Comics history variant cover by Jeff Lemire! Collect them all!
2. The Most Original Murder Mystery In Years
Yes, we’re reusing that title cause this is hard. “Dept. H” is a murder mystery that takes place deep under water (hence the title) and it still manages to be deeply personal. It’s honestly a great successor to the hole that “Mind MGMT” left and now the first hardcover is up for pre-order. If you like Matt Kindt’s work or mysteries in general, this is for you.
Dept. H Volume 1: Pressure HC (advance solicit)
Matt Kindt (W/A/Cover) and Sharlene Kindt (C)
On sale Jan 18
FC, 184 pages
$19.99
HC, 7″ x 10″
From New York Times best-selling MIND MGMT creator Matt Kindt comes an exciting new undersea sci-fi mystery.
Mia is a special investigator hired to uncover possible sabotage taking place at a deep-sea research station. What she uncovers is a mind-blowing crime scene filled with suspects with terrible secrets, strange deep-sea creatures, and an impending flood! Collects issues #1-#6 of the series.
“The mixture of black and white art and color is brilliant.” — Graphic Policy
1. When Magic and Science Collide
Yes, another Matt Kindt title but this time he’s joined by one of my favorite artists in the game – David Rubin. Rubin’s going to bring something so incredibly special to this series. He’s amazing at combining reality with fantasy and the detailing in his work is always mind blowing. Get on this before it’s too late.
Ether #1 (of 5)
Matt Kindt (W), David Rubin (A/Cover), and Jeff Lemire (Variant cover)
On sale Nov 16
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
A science-minded adventurer gets mixed up in the mysteries of a fantasy world in this charming new adventure from an award-winning creative team. Boone Dias is an interdimensional explorer, a scientist from Earth who has stumbled into great responsibility. He’s got an explanation for everything, so of course the Ether’s magical residents turn to him to solve their toughest crimes. But maybe keeping the real and the abstract separate is too big a job for just one man.
• From New York Times best-selling author Matt Kindt (MIND MGMT, Past Aways, Super Spy, Dept. H).
• Stunning artwork from David Rubin!
• Variant cover by Jeff Lemire!
“Kindt has developed into one of the most exciting and original talents in the business.” — The LA Times
Did I miss anything? Let know in the comments below and check out the full solicitations over at CBR
