Greetings and solicitations! Welcome to our look at Dark Horse Comics’ solicitations for July. Of course, Dark Horse is bringing you your monthly fix of Mignola, Buffy, and Conan, but this month we’re focusing some of the other stuff that stands out this month. A couple new series with a fresh superhero focus, new arcs in some of our favorite books, and some terrific hardcovers were just some of the things that stood out to us for July 2013. Let’s take a look.
Head over to CBR to see the full list of solicitations from Dark Horse to catch what I missed and find some other favorites of your own.
Cape Comics Come to Dark Horse
Through the proliferation of Hellboy and the Mike Mignola-verse, as well as the expansive Buffy-verse, Dark Horse Comics has characterized themselves as the place to go for eerie sci-fi and fantasy, as well as really good horror comics. Joe Casey is promising that he’ll make you think of superheroes a little with too, with the arrival of “Catalyst Comix.” Ever the salesman, Casey promises something that completely refreshes the idea of the superhero. Dark Horse President Mike Richardson even calls it the “first postmodern superhero series.” Those are some big and exciting statements. It’s unclear how “mature” Casey is making this title, but chances are there’s not going to be neon-colored sex everywhere.
Josh Williamson’s “Captain Midnight” also joins in the Dark Horse effort to bring a healthy line of cape comics to their company.
CATALYST COMIX #1 (of 9)
Joe Casey (W), Dan McDaid (A), Ulises Farinas (A), Paul Maybury (A), Brad Simpson (C), and Rafael Grampá (Cover)
On sale July 3
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Straight from the glory of Comics’ Greatest World, Frank “Titan” Wells, Amazing Grace and the Agents of Change are back, baby! But you’ve never seen them like this! Superhero comics get a back-alley facelift as these very different champions confront cosmic threats and personal demons—and it all starts at the end of the world as we know it!
• Masterminded by Joe Casey (Sex, Gødland, Baker the Righteous Maker)!
• Wraparound series covers from Rafael Grampá, Paul Pope, and Brendan McCarthy!
• Artists Dan McDaid (Doctor Who), Ulises Farinas (Glory), and Paul Maybury (Aqua Leung)!
CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #1
Joshua Williamson (W), Fernando Dagnino (A), Ego (C), Felipe Massafera (Cover), and Paolo Rivera (Variant cover)
On sale July 31
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Ongoing
On the run from the US government after fleeing custody, Captain Midnight has been labeled a security risk. In the forties, he was an American hero, a daredevil fighter pilot, a technological genius . . . a superhero. But since he rifled out of the Bermuda Triangle into the present day, Captain Midnight doesn’t know what or who to trust!
• A key title in Dark Horse’s new superhero initiative!
• Written by Joshua Williamson (Masks and Mobsters, Voodoo, Uncharted) with art by Fernando Dagnino (Resurrection Man, Suicide Squad)!
• Featured on Free Comic Book Day!
Hungry for Lobster
Everybody loves Lobster Johnson, right? He’s a fan favorite character in the Mignola-verse and we absolutely love these books around these parts. They’re fun pulp comics in the typical Mignola manner, so if you like Mignola’s work at all, this will be a must-buy. We suggested that it could be a banner year for the character in an earlier article about this book, so he’ll be one to watch, for sure.
Continued belowLOBSTER JOHNSON: A SCENT OF LOTUS #1
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), Sebastián Fiumara (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Tonci Zonjic (Cover)
On sale July 24
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
A series of brutal Chinatown murders sets off a manhunt for an Imperial Japanese agent even the Tong are afraid to kill. The Crimson Lotus, first introduced in B.P.R.D.: The Dead in 2005, finally stands revealed!
• Essential ties to B.P.R.D. Plague of Frogs!
New Blood for the Licensed Lines
Licensed comics can be hit or miss, but Dark Horse tends to throw good resources at them. For the new Mass Effect comic, they’ve got the lead writer from the video game. So one would guess that if you enjoyed the games, this will be a logical extension of those.
The Strain is a popular novel series from writer Chuck Hogan, which filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy, Blade) collaborated heavily on. David Lapham is on this thing, bringing instant credibility to the project and a reason to check it out for comic fans that aren’t familiar with the vampire-horror premise of the original book series.
MASS EFFECT: FOUNDATION #1
Mac Walters (W), Omar Francia (A), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Benjamin Carré (Cover)
On sale July 24
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Mass Effect 2 and 3 lead writer Mac Walters kicks off a new ongoing series, set in the vibrant, engaging world of BioWare’s blockbuster science fiction epic!
Mass Effect: Foundation starts with a bang, introducing readers to an enigmatic “agent” and revealing the story of her time spent on the violent mining colony of Themis.
• First issue of a new ongoing series!
• Mass Effect 3 was the winner of “Best RPG” at the 2012 Spike VGAs!
THE STRAIN: THE FALL #1
David Lapham (W), Mike Huddleston (A), Dan Jackson (C), and E. M. Gist (Cover)
On sale July 17
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Dr. Ephraim Goodweather’s failure to kill the Master—the ancient vampire behind the epidemic infesting New York City—has led the former alcoholic to relapse as the city burns around him. It’s the end of the world, but Eph, beaten but not dead, has still got to protect his son Zack from his mother, who’s now a bloodthirsty vampire that craves her child more than any artery.
• From the mind of visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan.
• Ongoing series continuing the story of the critically acclaimed comic The Strain.
Stan Sakai’s Samurai Swan Song
“47 Ronin” comes to an end, re-telling the most beloved story from feudal Japan in comic form. Worth the price of admission is seeing Stan Sakai’s loving rendering of the tale and his detailed and accurate depictions of the locales. This is a must for fans of Japanese history, Sakai’s “Usagi Yojimbo”, or just darn good comic storytelling.
47 RONIN #5 (of 5)
Mike Richardson (W), Stan Sakai (A/Cover), and Lovern Kindzierski (C)
On sale July 3
FC, 40 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Mike Richardson and Stan Sakai’s breathtaking account of Japan’s most famous historical legend reaches its extra-length conclusion, as Lord Asano’s loyal retainers take their revenge!
THE EPIC FINALE!
• Special oversize final issue for the same low price!
• From Mike Richardson (Star Wars: Crimson Empire) and Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo)!
Mind MGMT Season 2 Begins
Another favorite of Multiversity Comics, Matt Kindt’s “Mind MGMT” follows the newly trendy “television season” formula for its story. There’s no renumbering though, and though you could probably jump on here, do yourself a favor and pick up the first 12 issues, either in single issues or trade. This is some really heavy stuff – totally worth your money and time. And while you’re reading “Mind MGMT”, don’t forget to come back and check out our monthly column on it.
MIND MGMT #13
Matt Kindt (W/A)
On sale July 24
FC, 24 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Prepare for MIND MGMT’s most surreal arc yet, in this first in a series of one-shot stories! This month, how will sleeper agent The Home Maker maintain her cover when Mind Management invades suburbia?
SEASON 2 STARTS HERE!
• Optioned for the big screen by Ridley Scott!
A “Local” artist in a galaxy far, far away
Thank the maker! From the ashes of Paul Cornell’s “Saucer Country”, we get a turn on “Star Wars” with art from Kelly for July’s issue #7. This is an interesting choice, given that we mostly see Ryan Kelly’s art focused on the real world as we know it. That said, the man can handle anything and his work is always gorgeous. We can’t wait to see his take on these characters.
Continued belowDon’t forget to put a pre-order in for the first trade of Brian Wood’s series, as well. September sees the release of the “STAR WARS” VOLUME 1 IN THE SHADOW OF YAVIN TP, solicited in this upcoming Previews.
STAR WARS #7
Brian Wood (W), Ryan Kelly (A), Dan Parsons (I), Gabe Eltaeb (C), and Rodolfo Migliari (Cover)
On sale July 10
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Ongoing
Princess Leia takes the Rebels’ secret mission to the next level! Playing it safe has gotten them nowhere, and they are running out of resources and time. What’s the fastest way to get inside info on the Empire? Have your top pilots get themselves captured!
• Ryan Kelly, the artist from Brian Wood’s Local series, joins the Star Wars team!
STAR WARS VOLUME 1—IN THE SHADOW OF YAVIN TP
Brian Wood (W), Carlos D’Anda (A), Ryan Odagawa (A), Gabe Eltaeb (C), and Alex Ross (Cover)
On sale Sept 18
FC, 152 pages
$19.99
TP, 7″ x 10″
After the destruction of the Death Star, the Rebels are hounded by the Empire. Suspecting a spy in their ranks, Princess Leia forms a secret X-wing squadron—which includes Luke Skywalker—to expose the spy and find a safe home. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Chewbacca are sent on a covert mission! Collects Star Wars #1–#6 and Free Comic Book Day 2013.
• The perfect starting point for new readers!
Let’s get a little weird
The Peter Milligan and Brandon McCarthy pairing produced some truly weird stuff, but a lot of it is tough to get your hands on. Not anymore. Dark Horse is releasing a big hardcover edition of their wonderfully weird stuff collected from a myriad of sources: Vanguard, Strange Days, 2000 AD, and even some Vertigo Comics releases! Milligan and McCarthy are still going strong on their own, but there might never be anything like their collaborations ever again, so this is a volume to cherished for fans of either creator.
Another Eisner-Winning Webcomic Collection
Last month we saw the 2nd volume of Mike Norton’s award-winning “Battle Pug” in our solicitations column. This month it’s the equally gorgeous art of Cameron Stewart in his “Sin Titulo.” For those who hadn’t followed Stewart’s serial, it’s quite an exercise in comic book storytelling from one of comics’ best talents. There are strings of interest that pull you all the way through and plenty of affecting moments. Go check it out at his site and then support the work with this hardcover.
SIN TITULO HC
Cameron Stewart (W/A/Cover)
On sale Sept 25
FC, 168 pages
$19.99
HC, 9″ x 6 3/4″
Following the death of his grandfather, young Alex Mackay discovers a mysterious photograph in the old man’s belongings that sets him on an adventure like no other—where dreams and reality merge, family secrets are laid bare, and lives are irrevocably altered.
• The complete webcomic in one volume.
•Neo noir mystery thriller with semiautobiographical elements.
