One thing I really noticed about Dark Horse Comics’ solicitations this time around was how interesting their manga selection is becoming. I think that even if you don’t generally read a lot of manga, you should take a look at their offerings. Aside from the great “Samurai Executioner” and “Lone Wolf and Cub” offerings, they always have 4-5 manga titles that are carefully curated and attractively packaged. If it’s manga coming from Dark Horse, it’s probably pretty good. So that’s my take-home point for you this month, amongst all the rest of my typical recommendations. Let’s get to it.
10. Use the “Force”, Spry
The solicitation for this one name-checks Star Wars already, but after reading the plot description, that comparison looks apt down to its very core. Nothing wrong with that, necessarily. And Dark Horse Comics could stand to add some more sci-fi titles to replace their loss of the Star Wars property. I don’t know anything else about this one, but I’ve got my eye on it.
Shaper #1 (of 5)
Eric Heisserer (W), Felipe Massafera (A/Cover), and Wes Dzioba (C)
On sale Mar 18
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
A galactic empire hunts a race of shape shifters prophesied to overthrow its rule. When orphaned teenager Spry discovers that he is one of the hunted—a Shaper—he must learn to use his newfound abilities to escape the empire’s prime enforcer, Tor Ajax, and save his entire race!
• Screenwriter Eric Heisserer brings his cinematic vision to comics!
• A timeless tale for a new generation!
• In the tradition of Arthurian legends and Star Wars.
9. Itty Bitty Art and Franco at it Again
This time around, Art and Franco “Itty Bitty-ize” a spinoff from their own “Patrick the Wolf Boy” property. I’ve never read “Patrick the Wolf Boy”, but I’m always down for Art and Franco, especially when they’re doing their Itty Bitty parody series. And hey, maybe this book will inspire me to check out the original comics it’s based on.
Itty Bitty Comics: Grimmiss Island #1
Art Baltazar (W/A/Cover) and Franco (W)
On sale Mar 11
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Ongoing
The Volcano Goddess threatens the Mama Woogees’ tiny island! What can their creation Grimmiss do to stop this terror? Between an eye exam, a tough lesson in love, and stopping the Tiki Monoliths, there are lots of things for a little guy with a skull head to do! Tropical drinks not included.
• For fans of Itty Bitty Hellboy and Tiny Titans!
• From the multiple-Eisner-winning team of Art Baltazar and Franco!
“Art and Franco need to take on every property in comics.”—Comic Vine
“Art and Franco make the world a better place.”—Following the Nerd
8. Smoke ’em If You’ve Got ’em
Shaun Simon was co-writer on “Killjoys” with Gerard Way. Tyler Jenkins has gorgeously rendered the ethereal “Peter Panzerfaust” for the last several years. Those names alone are enough to get me to check this ish out. But the premise itself is fascinating too. The idea of the “imaginary friend” has been interesting fodder for comic before (“Imagine Agents”), and this looks like a more mature take on that idea.
Neverboy #1 (of 6)
Shaun Simon (W), Tyler Jenkins (A), Kelly Fitzpatrick (C), Conor Nolan (Cover), and Gerard Way (Variant cover)
On sale Mar 4
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Most people take drugs to escape reality. Neverboy, a former imaginary friend, does the opposite. He’s found a loophole that allows him to stay in the real world. As long as he stays medicated, everything’s perfect. But when the drugs wear off and reality fades, the forces that guard the borders between the real and the imaginary will be ready to drag him back to where he belongs.
• Killjoys cocreator Shaun Simon’s new fantasy adventure!
• Artist Tyler Jenkins (Peter Panzerfaust) breathes life into the imaginary!
7. Taking the piss out of NGE
Tony Takezaki is a dynamic, comedic artist that has lampooned manga properties before (“Gundam”). I’m anxious to see him do it again with “Neon Genesis Evangelion” – one of the best manga/anime properties of all time. And while NGE isn’t so stuffy and serious – it does get kind of overly pretentious at times. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of parody Takezaki can find within it.
Tony Takezaki’s Neon Genesis Evangelion TP
Tony Takezaki (W/A/Cover)
On sale May 20
b&w, 176 pages
$12.99
TP, 5 1/8″ x 7 1/4″
You saw his work in Neon Genesis Evangelion: Comic Tribute . . . depicting the truth about Rei with great sensitivity . . . Wait, that’s not the right word. What’s the opposite of “great sensitivity”? Well, whatever it is, Tony Takezaki’s got it, in this collection of all-new stories satirizing the Evangelion you saw on TV, as well as some scenes that apparently were never aired! SEE! Eva as a 1960s TV show! SEE! Kaworu and Shinji’s standup comedy career! SEE! Ritsuko’s days as Gendo’s student intern! SEE! Eva Units, flinging dookie! You’ll see all that and more, because this is Tony Takezaki’s Neon Genesis Evangelion!
• Voted a favorite spinoff by Evangelion fans in Japan!
• The new anime films are available in the US through Funimation.
6. As fun as it sounds from its title
Gurren Lagann is my everything when it comes to anime. It’s most certainly my favorite, and one of the most immersive, inspiring experiences I’ve had in all of media. “Panty & Stocking” doesn’t produce quite the same feeling, but it’s fun as hell. So if you’re a fan of the wackier side of Gurren Lagann and Kill la Kill, you should give this a try.
Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt TP
TAGRO (W/A/Cover)
On sale May 6
b&w, 136 pages
$9.99
TP, 5 1/8″ x 7 1/4″
Panty and Stocking are cute but highly dangerous angels, booted out of heaven for wrath, sloth, lust, envy, avarice, and gluttony (at least pride wasn’t high on their list). Now residing among the sinners of Daten City, the angels try to earn their way back into grace by exorcising evil at the behest of their questionable preacher boss, the Afro-bedecked Garterbelt!
• Based directly on the cult GAINAX anime from Funimation!
• Features new stories not in the original anime!
• From the creators of Kill La Kill and Gurren Lagann!
5. Andrew MacLean – lopping heads to blow your mind
I reviewed the second installment of “Head Lopper” earlier this year, and was delighted by how heavy-hitting and well-paced the whole thing was. It’s got me looking out for everything Andrew MacLean has his name attached to, as I think he’ll be one of the next big things. The guy has an eye for crafting attractive settings and seriously great action setpieces. I can’t wait to see what kind of tone this one strikes. Looks like it’ll be a nice complement to “Head Lopper.”
ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times TP
Andrew MacLean (W/A/Cover)
On sale May 20
FC, 96 pages
$9.99
TP, 6″ x 9″
Alone at the end of the world, Aria is a woman with a mission! As she traipses through an overgrown city with a cat named Jelly Beans, Aria is on a fruitless search for an ancient relic with immeasurable power. But when a creepy savage sets her on a path to complete her quest, she’ll face death in the hopes of claiming her prize.
• The premiere graphic novel from underground sensation Andrew MacLean (Head Lopper)!
Praise for MacLean’s Head Lopper:
“Head Lopper is what you’d get if Mike Mignola wrote an issue for Brian Wood’s Northlanders by way of James Stokoe’s Orc Stain.”—Multiversity Comics
4. Challengers of the Unknown
At first I was excited to see Kindt and Kolins’ exhaustive instructional comic about all the different ways to make and cook ravioli, and then I finally noticed the key capitalization in the title. Oh well, this sounds cool too, I guess. Kindt’s Dark Horse work has been mind-bending and Kolins’ art is pretty great when he really pours himself into it. I’m a fan of what they do, I’m sure I’ll be a fan of this.
Continued belowPastAways #1
Matt Kindt (W/Variant cover), Scott Kolins (A/Cover), and Bill Crabtree (C)
On sale Mar 25
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
2015: the distant past. A crash landing strands five deep-time explorers in a primitive world of internal-combustion engines and Internet 1.0 and tears a rift in space-time that spouts dinosaurs, giant robots, and other strange phenomena! Only the marooned “PastAways” can defend the twenty-first century, unless the tensions of their unexpectedly prolonged mission tear them apart!
• Career-best art from fan favorite Scott Kolins (The Flash)!
• Don’t miss the prologue in Dark Horse Presents #6!
TRAPPED IN PREHISTORY—A.K.A. OUR PRESENT!
3. A Phonebook Full of Usagi
I’ve been touting these for a few months now, but I finally received my first volume in the mail last week. Holy cow. These things are fat and glorious. Have no shame in going for the softcover over the hardcover because of the price. Either way, you’re getting a huge volume full of tremendous storytelling.
The Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 3 TP & Ltd. Ed. HC
Stan Sakai (W/A/Cover)
On sale May 27
b&w, 616 pages
$24.99
TP, 7″ x 10″
On sale May 27
b&w, 632 pages
$79.99
Ltd. Ed. HC, 7″ x 10″
In this third volume of the definitive Usagi Yojimbo compilations, Usagi faces a new foe who wears a demon mask, the Eisner-winning “Grasscutter” story line receives a sequel, pickpocket Kitsune’s history is revealed, Sasuké the Demon Queller makes his debut, and Usagi faces a terrifying new foe who wears a demon mask! Collects Usagi Yojimbo Books 14–16.
• 600 pages of Stan Sakai’s enduring samurai masterpiece!
• Also available in a signed and numbered hardcover edition, limited to 1,500 copies!
2. Prepare Your Mind for a “Mind MGMT” farewell
The final arc of “Mind MGMT” begins here. I can tell you that we here at Multiversity Comics think very highly of this series, which will likely be reflected in our end of the year lists. Don’t miss out!
MIND MGMT #31
Matt Kindt (W/A/Cover)
On sale Mar 18
FC, 24 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
The final MIND MGMT arc takes everything right back to the beginning, as Meru looks back at the mysterious Flight 815, the event that started it all!
• Includes a special recap story for new readers!
• Hailed as one of the greatest comics of our time!
• “The Immortals” part 1 of 5.
“Month after month, Matt Kindt breaks all pre-conceived notions of what comic books are with MIND MGMT.”—IGN
1. It’s Alive!
Mike Mignola writing anything is worth the price of admission. I must say though – his writing a “Frankenstein” story, with the great Ben Stenbeck on art, sounds too good for words. So I won’t write many more about it. After all, if you’re as entrenched in the Mignola bibliography as we are, you’re going to be picking this up.
Frankenstein Underground #1 (of 5)
Mike Mignola (W/Cover), Ben Stenbeck (A), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Mar 25
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
The Frankenstein creature is alone, abandoned, and wandering underground, where he will discover other strange creatures—and dark secrets to the universe.
• One of the most anticipated comic books of 2015!
“The iconic Frankenstein creature as imagined by “the master of modern horror comics.”—IGN
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.
