Greetings and Solicitations!
The month of February 2014 from Dark Horse Comics sees a video game tie-in book that just might break a curse, a couple classic titles being re-released, plenty of good “Conan” to talk about, and the Mike Mignola-produced lineup that you’ve come to love and expect every month. Let’s get to it, people.
10. First, an undisputed classic
What more can I say that hasn’t been said about “Lone Wolf and Cub.” My word, think of all the stuff that it’s influenced. There is no end to the number of comics, manga, books, movies, and anime that owe a debt to this wonderful story. If you don’t have this yet, these editions are certainly a good way to go about collecting it. They’re fat little buggers though. At 700 pages, and at 5×7 inches, these things are practically little cubes. Little cubes of storytelling excellence.
Lone Wolf and Cub Omnibus Volume 4 TP
Kazuo Koike (W), Goseki Kojima (A), and Frank Miller (Cover)
On sale Apr 2
b&w, 696 pages
$19.99
TP, 5″ x 7″
Once the shogun’s loyal retainer and now a disgraced exile, Ogami Itto travels a path of vengeance with his son, Daigoro. As the authors of Itto’s fall, the Yagyu clan will stop at nothing to bury their treachery, and Itto will stop at nothing to bury the Yagyu! Collects four stories from Lone Wolf and Cub volume 8, all of volume 9, and three stories from volume 10.
• Nearly 700 pages, value priced.
• Over one million copies sold of the original Dark Horse series!
• Cover by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley
9. Now, how about a modern classic?
This one might be a bit of a cheat. We don’t make it a habit to put reprints on these lists, but I liked this book so much that I think it’s worth throwing the “2nd edition” re-release on the list. If you know nothing else about this book, know that the art is absolutely bonkers. This is the first full-length, interior writing and art debut of Rafael Grampa – graphic designer and cover artist extraordinaire. If you know his name, you know of the gorgeousity of his work. If you missed it the first time – bask in it this time.
Mesmo Delivery 2nd Edition HC
Rafael Grampá (W/A/Cover) and Marcus Penna (A)
On sale Apr 30
FC, 80 pages
$14.99
HC, 7″ x 10″
Eisner Award-winning artist Rafael Grampá (5, Hellblazer) makes his full-length comics debut with the critically acclaimed graphic novel Mesmo Delivery—a kinetic, bloody romp starring Rufo, an ex-boxer; Sangrecco, an Elvis impersonator; and a ragtag crew of overly confident drunks who pick the wrong delivery men to mess with.
• Intro by 100 Bullets creator Brian Azzarello!
• Hardcover perfect for any collector’s library!
• Pinup art by Eduardo Risso, Mike Allred, Craig Thompson, and Fabio Moon!
8. Breaking the video game tie-in curse?
If you’re anything like me, video game tie-in comics give you violent diarrhea 99% of the time. You’re also what the world calls an “over-sharer.”
But regardless of how often these comics disappoint, one can’t help but be intrigued by the Gail Simone attachment. After all, she made “Red Sonja” a really fun book after it had struggled to find a real audience for a while. I can’t help but believe that there’s maybe even a slight chance that that’s what she’ll bring to Lara Croft. Am I nuts? Could we get a good vidya comic?
Continued belowTomb Raider #1
Gail Simone (W), Nicolás Daniel Selma (P), Juan Gedeon (I), Michael Atiyeh (C), and Dan Dos Santos (Cover)
On sale Feb 26
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Ongoing
Superstar writer Gail Simone picks up Lara Croft’s story where the smash hit Tomb Raider game left off—in a new ongoing comics series!
Following the game acclaimed for its bold and sophisticated new vision, this series launches Lara Croft on the formative adventures that will change her life forever!
• The official continuation of Lara Croft’s story!
• The 2013 video game sold over 3.5 million copies!
“Tomb Raider is the quintessential example of a reboot done right.”—Gaming Trend
7. A farewell to Wood’s Conan
I’m not sure how Brian Wood’s “Conan” will be remembered as the years go on, because it was a really offbeat take on the character. Starting off with Becky Cloonan on art was an odd choice for “Conan” that, for me, totally worked. Like, she hit it out of the park. But no matter what artist he had on board, his Conan was a little different and the scope of his adventures were certainly not what you’d normally expect from the barbarian. No matter how history looks upon it, I know I’ll miss it though.
Conan the Barbarian #25
Brian Wood (W), Leandro Fernand (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Massimo Carnevale (Cover)
On sale Feb 19
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Ongoing
The final issue of Brian Wood’s acclaimed “Queen of the Black Coast”!
Conan is rapidly losing his battle against a creature of unimaginably dark power. With nothing left to live for, his only hope for survival—much less victory—takes shape in a familiar and impossible form!
• Look for a new ongoing Conan series from writer Fred Van Lente.
“The art is just gorgeous.”—Adventures in Poor Taste
6. The creepiest, coolest title for a Mignola book yet
Mignola fans are a lucky bunch, aren’t they? There seems to be an endless wealth of quality titles constantly coming out. “Baltimore” should not be overlooked when considering this, though I fear it often is. These books pull off a very dark, gothic vibe better than any other comic out there. If you’re into that, you should be into these comics.
Baltimore: Chapel of Bones #2 (of 2)
Mike Mignola (W), Christopher Golden (W), Ben Stenbeck (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Feb 5
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Vengeful and doomed, Lord Baltimore finally catches up with the vampire who murdered his family . . . but it turns out the vampire has been waiting for him.
• From Hellboy creator Mike Mignola!
“It still takes something special to impose a unifying vision, and Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden have got it.”—The Wall Street Journal
5. Mignola, Harren, and the BPRD – oh my!
Steady as she goes – “BPRD” should be an automatic buy at this point, but it’s worth pointing out that James Harren is back on board. Harren is one of the most incredible artists in comics today and one of Multiversity’s personal favorites.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #116
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), James Harren (A), Dave Stewart (C), Rafael Albuquerque (Cover), and Richard Corben (Variant cover)
On sale Feb 19
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Ongoing
The BPRD joins a band of resistance fighters in the ruins of Manhattan to fight the Black Flame and his evil regime of Zinco troops and monsters!
• Second of 5 special variant covers celebrating 20 years of Hellboy!
• Art by James Harren (Conan the Barbarian)!
4. Another sort of Atomic Comic
Mike Richardson is a consummate professional and he’s been doing it for years and years. He’s forgotten more about comics than I’ll probably ever know. So when he says that he and Bruce Zick are taking things back to the past with “The Atomic Legion”- I’ll take his word for it, and feel comfortable knowing that he’s going to get it right and make it entertaining. Hell, just look at the Starro-esque cover! How fun is that?
Continued belowThe Atomic Legion HC
Mike Richardson (W) and Bruce Zick (A/Cover)
On sale April 30
FC, 224 pages
$29.99
HC, 7 1/2″ x 11 1/2″
In a hidden fortress near the North Pole, the greatest heroes of a past age live secluded from the world that rejected them. But when their benefactor—a mysterious scientist known only as the Professor—is kidnapped, it’s up to a young boy to rally the robots, monsters, and superheroes in the fortress to come to the rescue as the Atomic Legion!
• From the writer of the critically-acclaimed 47 Ronin and Crimson Empire.
3. Here come the men in white
Barbiere’s “Five Ghosts” is something we’ve been pushing an awful lot around Multiversity Comics. We loved the pulp tone set by Barbiere and artist Chris Mooneyham. I’ve no doubt that Barbiere will find an interesting tone to work with here and give us another challenging story. And anyone who read “Blue Estate” knows that having Toby Cypress on board is something to be excited about.
The White Suits #1 (of 4)
Frank Barbiere (W) and Toby Cypress (A/Cover)
On sale Feb 19
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Mysterious killers dressed in white, they savaged the Cold War Russian underworld—then disappeared. Now they have resurfaced in New York, leaving a trail of dead mobsters. In this bloody wake, an amnesiac and an FBI agent search for the answer to a single question: Who are the White Suits?
• Debuted in the award-winning Dark Horse Presents.
• Violent noir action from Frank Barbiere (Blackout) and Toby Cypress (Blue Estate, Predator).
2. A more classical Conan is always welcome
We enjoyed the last “King Conan” tale from this duo (‘Hour of the Dragon’), so there’s no reason not to take a look at their next offering. As much as Brian Wood’s “Conan” was good at playing games with a very old, very tried-and-true formula, Truman and Giorello are straight up ace at just giving you the Conan you expect to get. These books are class all the way.
King Conan: The Conqueror #1 (of 6)
Timothy Truman (W), Tomás Giorello (A/Cover), and José Villarrubia (C)
On sale Feb 26
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
In the port city of Messantia, the deposed, fugitive Conan could uncover the key to regaining his throne—or he could get a knife in the back! Conan follows a lead to a lost relic, revisits an old friend, and finds that he’s not alone in his risky hunt for a missing, magical gem.
• Continuing the acclaimed Hour of the Dragon adaptation!
• “Truman, Giorello, and Villarrubia . . . have created possibly the best Conan adaptation ever made.”—Comics Bulletin
1. Lobster is the main course
I may have said this before, but pound-for-pound, Lobster Johnson stories tend to be my favorite in the extended Mignola-verse. Chances are, when they’re around they’re going to rank pretty highly. Lobster Johnson is great as a concept, because it stretches the Mignola books past their Hellboy/BPRD core and plays with the tone a little more than we’re used to. I expect this story to be no different.
Lobster Johnson: Get the Lobster #1 (of 5)
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), Tonci Zonjic (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Feb 5
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
A Manhattan sporting event goes terribly wrong as the ref is killed in front of a live audience by two crazed—and seemingly bulletproof—wrestlers. Who is behind this new reign of terror?
If we snubbed anything you like, mention it in the comments! If you want to see everything on tap for February 2014 from Dark Horse, CBR’s got everything right here.
