Here we are, in the year 2015. The flying car has taken over the airways and we’re ingesting in 100% of our nutrition via intergalactic government-issued vitamin pills. Things have changed, but Dark Horse Comics hasn’t – they’ve still got a slate of great comics coming out and I’m still here to tell you about my top 10 most interesting selections from the month.
10. Marked for Death
Despite Multiversity’s Drew Bradley’s constant raving recommendation, I haven’t yet made time to check out “X.” It seems that a crossover with “Captain Midnight” – a book I do regularly read – would be a perfect time to check it out. ‘Marked for Death’ begins this month in “X” and the whole schedule is down there in the solicitation, so take a look and think about taking the leap.
X #21
Duane Swierczynski (W), Eric Nguyen (A), Michelle Madsen (C), and Rafael Albuquerque (Cover)On sale Jan 14
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Ongoing
The last time the Archon showed up in Arcadia, it was to deliver the beating of X’s life. X vowed that if the Archon ever showed his face in his city again, it would be for the last time. So when an enigmatic masked man arrives in town sniffing around for information on the Archon, he gains X’s full attention, whether he wants it or not!
Be here for the first issue of the Marked for Death saga that starts in X and concludes in Captain Midnight!
January
X #21: Marked for Death Part 1 Chapter 1
February
X #22: Marked for Death Part 1 Chapter 2
March
Captain Midnight #21: Marked for Death Part 2 Chapter 1
April
Captain Midnight #22: Marked for Death Part 2 Chapter 2
May
Captain Midnight #23: Marked for Death Part 2
Chapter 3
June
Captain Midnight #24: Marked for Death Part 2 Chapter 4
9. Not quite yet Marked for Death
Speaking of “Captain Midnight”, here I am, recommending it again. It’s just really great superhero comics that keeps surprising me with its expanding scope. That scope will expand into the aforementioned crossover with “X”, but not for a couple of months. Regardless, you should be reading this book already, if you appreciate superheroes. It’s great.
Captain Midnight #19
Joshua Williamson (W), Fernando Dagnino (A), Javier Mena (C), and Michael Broussard (Cover)On sale Jan 28
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Ongoing
In the heart of the jungle, as reality rips apart around them, Captain Midnight and his old sidekick Chuck Ramsey engage in a deadly grudge match! The fate of all reality rests on Cap’s shoulders as the time-displaced hero gets his first view into the mysterious “Otherspace” and must stop Chuck before another dimension comes crashing down on them.
• The climactic battle royale!
• One of Comic Book Resources’ nine titles you should be reading!
8. Not your average princess
Without knowing much about this graphic novel, the description sells the book well enough on its own. A proactive princess character in a tale of high adventure with charming manga-esque art. I’m sold.
The Courageous Princess Volume 1: Beyond the Hundred Kingdoms Third Edition HC
Rod Espinosa (W/A/Cover)On sale Mar 11
FC, 240 pages
$19.99
HC, 6″ x 9″
Once upon a time, a greedy dragon kidnapped a beloved princess . . . But if you think she just waited around for some charming prince to rescue her, then you’re in for a surprise! Princess Mabelrose has enough brains and bravery to fend for herself!
• A third edition of Rod Espinosa’s charming tale!
• To be followed by The Courageous Princess Volume 2 in June 2015 and Volume 3 in September 2015, forming the Courageous Princess trilogy.
7. My monthly anthology comics recommendation
I’ve raved about this anthology every month for the past 6 months. I cannot stress how carefully curated it all is. This month, we get a bit of Matt Kindt and Scott Kolins’ “PastAways”, which is worth the ticket price on its own.
Continued belowDark Horse Presents #6
Matt Kindt (W), Jimmy Palmiotti (W), Justin Gray (W), Alex de Campi (W), Keith Champagne (W), Ed Brisson (W), Simon Roy (W/A), Scott Kolins (A/Cover), Andy Kuhn (A), Jerry Ordway (A), Leonard Kirk (A), and Brian Level (A)On sale Jan 21
FC, 48 pages
$4.99
Ongoing
Matt Kindt and Scott Kolins deliver an exciting prologue to their new superhero science-fiction series PastAways, in which the team shows up in the present for the first time! Dig into a short story featuring Simon Roy’s Paleolithic shaman detective Tiger Lung—then buy the hardcover collection of Tiger Lung this month!
Check out Alex de Campi and Jerry Ordway’s Semiautomagic; Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, and Andy Kuhn’s Wrestling with Demons; and Peter Tomasi and Keith Champagne’s The Mighty, written by Champagne, with art by Leonard Kirk! Plus, read another Ed Brisson Murder Book story, featuring art from Brian Level!
Won the 2014 Best Anthology Eisner and Harvey Award—for the third year running!
6. Farewell, for now, Usagi
Despite being set in a future “Usagi Yojimbo” timeline that may or may not be in actual continuity, “Usagi Yojimbo Senso” has been a surprisingly emotionally resonant effort. Or maybe it’s not so surprising, when you consider the fact that Stan Sakai is the creator at the center of it. So when they tease the fact that “someone will die” in this issue – it actually might mean something.
Usagi Yojimbo: Senso #6 (of 6)
Stan Sakai (W/A/Cover) and Tom Luth (Cover colors)On sale Jan 7
b&w, 24 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
If you saw the last page of the previous issue (and if not, why didn’t you?!), you’ll know that this just might be the most eagerly anticipated Usagi comic of all time! Prepare yourself for the final, titanic battle to decide the fate of Usagi’s world! You will surely cry, but will they be tears of sorrow, of joy . . . or both?
Whatever you do, do not miss this issue!
5. Medicine for your mind
Does this mean what I think it means? Are we getting close to seeing the end of Matt Kindt’s magnificent “Mind MGMT”? The man has so much on his plate – I have no idea how he manages it all the way it is. But of all the books he’s been involved in, I think “Mind MGMT” has clearly been the strongest. Hell, it’s probably the strongest work he’s ever done, actually. So I’m just going to keep stumping for it.
Mind Mgmt #30
Matt Kindt (W/A/Cover)On sale Jan 28
FC, 24 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Finally, the true history of the enigmatic Eraser is revealed—and her shocking past will ignite everything in the present. The final war is here!
• Nominated for two 2014 Harvey Awards!
• New York Times bestseller!
“Month after month, Matt Kindt breaks all pre-conceived notions of what comic books are.”—IGN
4. Aw crap.
I’m going to double down on how special I think Alex Maleev drawing Mike Mignola’s characters is going to be. Their styles are decidedly not similar, but I feel like they are 2nd or 3rd cousins or something, tone-wise. Maleev’s art is made for a dark and grisly story, and so are the Mignolaverse characters.
Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1952 #2 (of 5)
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), Alex Maleev (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)On sale Jan 7
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
In Brazil, Hellboy and a small group of BPRD agents investigate gruesome and bizarre murders happening in the shadows of a sixteenth-century Portuguese fortress, but what they uncover is more terrifying than they imagined.
“Alex and Hellboy are a match made in heaven. Alex is one of the truly great comic book artists of this generation and the Mignola universe is going to show a whole different side to his genius.”—Brian Michael Bendis
3. Guess who’s back? Back again? Groo is back. And his friends.
Continued below
We’re not finished with “Groo vs. Conan” crossover yet and already new Groo stories are being solicited. That’s a really good thing, because “Groo” is just ol’ fashioned good natured humor comics. Groo isn’t afraid to be extremely silly and irreverent, and loves to make its poor characters suffer for our enjoyment. Personally, I’m just so glad he’s back.
Groo: Friends and Foes #1
Mark Evanier (W), Sergio Aragonés (A/Cover), and Tom Luth (C)On sale Jan 21
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Each month of this yearlong series, Groo and his faithful pooch, Rufferto, encounter a different acquaintance–or enemy–with the usual dire consequences! In #1, Groo crosses paths with Captain Ahax, the seaman with the world record for most ships sunk by the all-time stupidest character in comics! Brought to you by the award-winning team of Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier!
• Eisner-winning letterer Stan Sakai and colorist Tom Luth round out this all-start team!
“[Aragonés’s] style is so established, cartoony, and consistent that there’s never a doubt that you’ll get anything but pure magic out of him.” —Multiversity Comics
2. What is best in life? Legendary warrior rossover comics, that’s what.
The much teased “Conan/Red Sonja” crossover is finally seeing the light of day, with two creators who couldn’t be better fits, if you ask me. With Gail Simone tackling heroes like Red Sonja on the regular, and Jim Zub’s keen eye for fantasy, it’s difficult to see how this could disappoint. Jim Zub should be next in line for the regular Conan book, if you ask me. The guy gets what makes fantasy great, and while he obviously wouldn’t go full bore with it, he might add a wry sense of humor to Conan’s adventures.
Conan/Red Sonja #1 (of 4)
Gail Simone (W), Jim Zub (W), Dan Panosian (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)On sale Jan 14
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Gail Simone teams with Jim Zub to bring together legendary warriors in this truly epic crossover!
In a story spanning multiple eras in the lives of these classic characters, Conan and Red Sonja become comrades to take down a sorcerer-priest hell bent on creating a dark new age in Hyborian warfare!
1. Art so good, it kills me
Frequent readers on Multiversity Comics might already know that Joëlle Jones is one of my very favorite artists in comics. Her work manages to be loose and expressive (slightly cartoony even), while still being able to convey really hefty emotional, grim, or violent matieral – such as her recent work with Cullen Bunn on “Helheim.” She really has a keen eye for giving a scene the tone or feel that it needs, while staying completely true to her unique visual style. She and Jamie S. Rich have been frequent collaborators and they’re a duo that doesn’t disappoint. There’s really no reason to overlook this one next year.
Lady Killer #1 (of 5)
Joëlle Jones (W/A/Cover), Jamie S. Rich (W), and Laura Allred (C)On sale Jan 7
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Josie Schuller is a picture-perfect homemaker, wife, and mother—but she’s also a ruthless, efficient killer for hire! A brand-new original comedy series that combines the wholesome imagery of early 1960s domestic bliss with a tightening web of murder, paranoia, and cold-blooded survival.
• New original series by Joëlle Jones!
• Dark comedy, gritty action, and killer laughs!
“[Jones] varies her style to suit the mood of each piece, and the results can be spellbinding.”—Powell’s Books
Did we miss anything you like? Tell us about it! And check out the full solicitations from our friends at Comic Book Resources to find out more.
