Greetings and Solicitations!
This month, one of our favorites returns (check the #1 spot on our list), Mike Mignola keeps one getting absolutely spoiled with artistic riches, and, you guessed it, Kazuo Koike makes the top 10 again.
Let’s get it on:
10. “Watch how I soar.”
Rumor has it that the comic book revival of Serenity (or Firefly) has been very strong. Hopefully this miniseries performed well enough to inspire many more. For the time being, as most Whedon-verse stories tend to, I expect this one will be hitting us right in the feels before it’s done.
Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #6 (of 6)
Zack Whedon (W), Georges Jeanty (P/Variant cover), Karl Story (I), Laura Martin (C), and Dan Dos Santos (Cover)
On sale June 25
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Mal’s plan B—a plan he didn’t like when he made it—has gone into action, and the Serenity has come out of hiding. With his crew, one victim, and a hostage, Mal is ready to fight the Alliance head on—but first, they are going to rescue Zoe, no matter what!
• Buffy’s Season 8 and 9 artist conquers the galaxy!
• Zack Whedon returns to Serenity!
• The story finally continues after the film!
9. That’s right, this again.
Not a month will go by without me recognizing the work of Kazuo Koike, as long as Dark Horse is releasing these bad boys. That’s just how essential I think “Long Wolf and Cub” is, and how worthwhile it is to build a Koike library.
Samurai Executioner Omnibus Volume 2 TP
Kazuo Koike (W) and Goseki Kojima (A/Cover)
On sale Aug 13
b&w, 784 pages
$19.99
TP, 5″ x 7″
The shogun’s sword tester and executioner is a position of consummate skill and great prestige. While the feared Yamada “Decapitator” Asaemon holds the post, another sword master seeks the office, and this election can be won by only a single vote—cast in steel and certified in blood! Collects stories from volume 3 and all of volumes 4 and 5 of previous Dark Horse editions.
• Nearly 800 pages, value priced.
8. Welcome your new “Ghost” artist, Jan Duursema
So, you know how for a few months I kept acting like a Kelly Sue and Chris Sebela book with ongoing art from Ryan Sook was too good to be true?
Well, it was.
But hey, Sebela is a terrific writer and I suspect that losing Kelly Sue (at least on this particular title) will hurt less than one would expect. Jan Duursema’s done a ton of work on the “Star Wars” side of Dark Horse Comics, but has been a staple in mainstream comics for over 30 years now. She should be right at home here on “Ghost.”
Ghost #5
Chris Sebela (W), Jan Duursema (P), Dan Parsons (I), Dan Jackson (C), and Jenny Frison (Cover)
On sale June 4
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Ongoing
When Tommy starts to suspect that Von Ghastly, the eccentric host of a bloodcurdling cable access show, may be up to more than just morbid mischief, Ghost leaps into action . . . but she has an audience of her own! Chris Sebela serves up big screams on the small screen!
• Beginning a new arc!
7. A fantasy opus from a fantastic artist
P. Craig Russell is a national treasure, but “Ring of the Nibelung” might be his defining work. His comic adaptation of the classic opera is every bit as epic and moving as one would hope. Classy art fans should definitely take a chance on this gorgeous collection of the whole thing.
Continued belowThe Ring of the Nibelung HC
P. Craig Russell (W/A/Cover) and Lovern Kindzierski (C)
On sale Aug 6
FC, 448 pages
$29.99
HC, 7″ x 10″
Giants plot against gods, who in turn tear human lovers apart, while the lives of great warriors are ruined, and murder after murder is committed in the name of love and gold. Collects The Ring of the Nibelung Volumes 1 and 2.
• Includes behind-the-scenes production art, notes by the artist, and scans of original art.
• The Eisner Award–winning series, collected in one deluxe volume.
6. Time to Pretend
“Mind MGMT” is a staple read, at this point. As far as Dark Horse Comics is concerned, this could be the very best thing their releasing outside of the Mike Mignola universe. Matt Kindt gives his all and uses all of his myriad talents to make a mind-bending story that continues to surprise us each month. And is, like, virtually never late with it either.
Mind Mgmt #23
Matt Kindt (W/A/Cover)
On sale June 25
FC, 24 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Meru, Lyme, and company make a final, desperate attempt to recruit the Magician, but after they receive a devastating blow from the Eraser, all may be lost! Will the Management be reborn?!
• New York Times bestseller!
• The staggering conclusion to “The Magician”!
5. Jack freakin’ Davis + The Goon
Okay, so it’s just a cover, but it’s Jack freakin’ Davis working in some capacity on “The Goon.” Even if you don’t know who Jack Davis is – you know who Jack Davis is. You’ve seen his work somewhere, and you’ve appreciated it. I guarantee it. The poster for It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World alone. My word, the man is a living legend.
The Goon: One For the Road
Eric Powell (W/A), Dave Stewart (C), and Jack Davis (Cover)
On sale June 25
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
One-shot
Goon and Franky meet a sailor on the hunt for his buddy . . . but trouble ensues when the trio go bar to bar in genre-hopping pursuit.
Revenge—what better way than to have a cover by one of the greatest humor cartoonists of all time, JACK DAVIS!
• Cover by Jack Davis
• Created by Eisner-award winner Eric Powell!
4. Strange magic
I really liked “Emily and the Strangers” the first time around. I sincerely hope you didn’t miss it when it came around, but if you did, here’s a reminder to go check it out. It was an offbeat book that music aficionados can find effortlessly charming. And hey, it’s getting its own movie, I guess? So this is one of those “get-in-on-the-ground-floor” situations. Really fun stuff.
Emily and the Strangers: Breaking the Record #1 (of 3)
Rob Reger (W), Mariah Huehner (W), Cat Farris (A/C), and Buzz Parker (Cover)
On sale June 25
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Emily—and her new band, the Strangers—won the battle of the bands and received a record contract with Awesomely Awesome Records, but can the girl who just figured out how to get along with her friends manage dealing with a major corporation?
• An Emily the Strange feature film is in development.
3. Until we meet again, dear Lobster
“Lobster Johnson” stories are always a hoot, but what really made this one spectacular was the breakout of artist Tonci Zonjic. He’s worked on “Lobster” stories before, and he’s done a bit o’ “Big Three” work too (yes, I’m just going to start calling it the “Big Three”), but I think the overwhelming feeling across comics these days is that he hasn’t garnered the due recognition until now. I think that’s absolutely true. Zonjic’s name, should you be able to spell and pronounce it, should be more highly regarded. The guy does timely, tone-perfect comic-booking.
Lobster Johnson: Get the Lobster #5 (of 5)
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), Tonci Zonjic (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale June 4
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
The Lobster engages in a firefight with a madman in a biplane on top of a zeppelin!
• From the pages of Hellboy!
2. Dark Horse’s best book also has the best art rotation
Laurence Campbell and Mike Mignola comics are a match made in heaven. It’s truly a case of an embarrassment of riches that “BPRD” gets to go from top notch artist to top notch artist like this. First James Harren, and now Campbell. I guess it’s only fitting that the best book Dark Horse is putting out should get the best art talent, but it doesn’t always work out like this. We should be super grateful when it does.
Continued belowB.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #120
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), Laurence Campbell (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale June 18
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Ongoing
A blackout causes panic at B.P.R.D. headquarters as Kate comes face to face with the ghost of a satanic veteran.
• From the pages of Hellboy!
1. The dream is alive
We here at Multiversity Comics dug on Jai Nitz’s and Greg Smallwood’s “Dream Thief” miniseries more than dark Peter Parker digs on Jazz music and eyeliner. Why, here’s all the evidence you need. Smallwood’s art was a nice encapsulation of the noir genre of comics and the different types of experimentation you can do within it. I’m eagerly anticipating what he’ll do next to push himself and the genre.
Dream Thief: Escape #1 (of 4)
Jai Nitz (W) and Greg Smallwood (A/C)
On sale June 25
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Like his father before him, John Lincoln is a Dream Thief, possessed by vengeful spirits while he sleeps—a deadly instrument of revenge! Now he must defend the felon possessed by his father’s ghost . . . and get revenge against his killer! Continuing the supernatural drama of last summer’s acclaimed miniseries.
Jai Nitz’s DREAM THIEF IS BACK!
So there you have it. If we snubbed anything you like, mention it in the comments! If you want to see everything on tap for June 2014 from Dark Horse, CBR’s got everything right here.
