May is going to be a big month for both DC and Marvel thanks to “Convergence” and “Secret Wars”. If big events that actually change nothing are not your cup of tea, then Dark Horse is your place to go this spring. Not going to lie to you, I had a tough time narrowing it down to just 10 this month. I’m sure once I post this is up I’ll regret leaving something off but let’s jump in anyway.
10. A Fine Time to Introduce Yourself to Baltimore (Not the City, Silly)
One of the many things we should thank Mike Mignola for is the creation of Baltimore. Lord Baltimore’s story began as he hunted down the vampire Haigus and from there it became another branch of the Mignolaverse. “The Cult of the Red King” is solicited as a nice place to jump in and from my own experience, I’ve found any start of “Baltimore” miniseries to be just that. If you’re lacking in horror or science fiction, I can’t suggest this and “B.P.R.D.” enough.
Baltimore: The Cult of the Red King #1 (of 5)
Mike Mignola (W), Christopher Golden (W), Peter Bergting (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Ben Stenbeck (Cover)
On sale May 6
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
The Red King is legendary. But is he the stuff of myth—or the ultimate adversary of the human race? In this series, Lord Baltimore discovers the truth about an ancient evil that threatens to destroy the world.
• A great starting point for anyone looking to delve into the world of Baltimore.
• Baltimore’s ultimate quest begins here!
“If you’re intrigued about horror in the early twentieth century, this promises to deliver on that premise.”—Bloody Disgusting
9. More Required Reading
David Mack is an artistic genius and “Kabuki” is his masterpiece. “Kabuki” is not like most things you’ve ever read before; much of it relies on past memories and dreams. There are moments that are surreal and otherworldly but that’s exactly why it’s so wonderful. A library edition is long overdue and will be absolutely magnificent to look at.
Kabuki Library Edition Volume 1 HC (advance solicit)
David Mack (W/A/Cover)
On sale July 8
FC, 400 pages
$39.99
HC, 9″ x 12″
Celebrating twenty years of Kabuki, this is the first volume in a complete set of large oversize library editions collecting the entire critically acclaimed Kabuki series.
This edition collects the first two original Kabuki volumes: Circle of Blood and Dreams. With eleven issues and loads of extras, this is the book that fans of Kabuki have been waiting for and the perfect starting point for brand-new readers.
• Extra features include Kabuki drawings from Brian Michael Bendis, introductions by Bendis and Jim Steranko, and more!
• The first of four oversized library editions!
“Kabuki is rewarding. It’s a beautiful book, with a touching story based in a fascinating culture.”—Comics Bulletin
8. Goodbye Old Friend?
The Goon is a character that has seemingly been around forever. This current miniseries has been something very major and different for the character and it’s quite possible that this is it for The Goon. Eric Powell has heavily hinted that this is the end for this character so needless to say, this is a major finale.
The Goon: Once upon a Hard Time #4 (of 4)
Eric Powell (W/A/Cover)
On sale May 6
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
This climactic issue wraps up the story that started sixteen years ago with the very first issue of The Goon. The Goon has hard choices to make. Some live. Some die. And everything changes. Don’t miss this major turning point in the Goon mythology.
“There aren’t many characters like the Goon in comics and there aren’t many creators as unique and enjoyable as Eric Powell.”—IGN
7. The Best Value of the Month
I talked about some of Dark Horse’s classic horror selections last month but May is going to be huge. This new hardcover will collect all of Alex Toth’s Warren series and it’s only $20! That’s a lot of great story for only a couple of bucks more than Marvel and DC sell one story arc for. It’s also a great book to get you into classic horror coics.
Continued belowCreepy Presents Alex Toth HC (advance solicit)
Alex Toth (W/A/Cover), Archie Goodwin (W), Gerry Boudreau (W), Rich Margopoulos (W), Roger McKenzie (W), Doug Moench (W), Nicola Cuti (W), Bill DuBay (W), Steve Skeates (W), Carmine Infantino (A), Leo Duranona (A), Leo Summers (A), and Alexis Romero (A)
On sale July 8b&w, 168 pages
$19.99
HC, 8 1/2″ x 11″
A brilliant storyteller who wielded a dynamic, minimalist style, Alex Toth is considered a master in the fields of comic book storytelling, animation, and design. With Creepy Presents Alex Toth, all of his vibrant stories from Creepy and Eerie are collected in a deluxe hardcover for the first time ever!
• The first complete collection of Alex Toth’s Warren horror stories!
6. It’s Over Already???!!!
I kind of hate the idea of “Lady Killer” ending. I really like this series and maybe if we all buy up tons of copies, we’ll get this thing to an ongoing or at least a miniseries. Josie’s story comes to an end here and while I’m sad about it, I am excited to see her kick all the ass.
Lady Killer #5 (of 5)
Joëlle Jones (W/A/Cover), Jamie S. Rich (W), and Laura Allred (C)
On sale May 6
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Josie closes in on the truth behind who really wants to end her life as a cheerful housewife, mother, and ruthlessly skilled assassin! Who is really behind the hit? And are they closer to home than she’d like?
“A level of violence that can only be described as Mad Men’s Betty Draper meets Dexter.”—Comic Book Resources
5. On Mount Everest, No One Can Hear Your Scream
“High Crimes” isn’t a new book but it’s finally going to be in print so I’m compelled to suggest it to Multiversity Comics readers who might not be fans of digital reading. “High Crimes” is still going on but it’s only available on Comixology through Monkeybrain. “High Crimes” is legitimately thrilling which is very tough to do when almost every story has been told with every trick imaginable so get ready to shell out $20 cause this is worth every penny.
High Crimes HC
Christopher Sebela (W) and Ibrahim Moustafa (A/Cover)
On sale July 8
FC, 184 pages
$19.99
HC, 7″ x 10″
Disgraced Olympic snowboarder Zan Jensen runs a sideline business as a high-altitude grave robber. When a body is found at the summit of Everest with a treasure of state secrets under its skin, Zan finds herself in the crosshairs of a government hit squad. As she races to the roof of the world, Zan will navigate bullets and avalanches to find salvation in the deadliest place on Earth.
Collecting the critically acclaimed Monkeybrain digital comic the A.V. Club calls “a high concept executed with precision, delivering real-world intrigue.”
“Instead of just yelling at people to read High Crimes, now I can throw it at them at the same time.”—Matt Fraction (Sex Criminals)
4. Monthly “Mind MGMT” PSA
Did you read “Mind MGMT” yet? You should have. If you haven’t I’m here once again to tell you to read it. “Mind MGMT” #33 also comes out in May but I’m going to suggest volume 5 because these hardcovers are some of the absolute best from any publisher in terms of quality. These hardcovers are also the best way to read the series because in one sitting you’ll get lost in this world and might just pick up on different details. Basically anything with “Mind MGMT” on the front cover is something you should buy.
Continued belowMIND MGMT Volume 5: The Eraser HC (advance solicit)
Matt Kindt (W/A/Cover) (Cover)
On sale July 22
FC, 168 pages
$19.99
HC, 7″ x 10″
The mission to stop Mind Management has fallen apart, and after nearly losing her mind at the hands of the Eraser, Meru finds herself alone in a world of rogue agents. To press on, she’ll need to seek out a new mentor—the First Immortal! Collects MIND MGMT #25–#30!
• THE BEGINNING OF THE END!
• Foreword by Darwyn Cooke!
“A story that no written word could hope to describe.”—Unleash the Fanboy
3. Get Ready to Eat A lot of Ramen Noodles
Look at this thing. Seriously, it’s gorgeous! Steve Niles “Criminal Macabre” is, for my money, the best thing he’s ever created. Cal McDonald is a fantastic character and this statue perfectly captures him. At $150 this is kind of a steal to be honest. It looks higher quality than that and honestly I’d pay more.
Criminal Macabre: Cal McDonald Bust Regular Edition and Variant
Steve Niles and William Paquet (advance solicit)
On sale Aug 12
Regular Edition
14” tall, packaged in full-color box, with a certificate of authenticity signed by both Steve Niles and William Paquet
Limited to only 375 copies
$149.99
On sale Aug 12
Variant Edition
14” tall with a 13” wingspan, packaged in full-color box, with a certificate of authenticity signed by both Steve Niles and William Paquet
Limited to only 75 copies
$225.00
Criminal Macabre by Steve Niles. features one of the most hard-boiled protagonists in all of comics, a denizen of darkness and sketchy nightspots, the antihero’s antihero: Cal McDonald. Cal investigates crimes that others won’t touch. The cops (and nice people generally) avoid Cal. But an array of otherworldly types won’t leave him alone.
Our bust, sculpted by horror specialist William Paquet, shows Cal with the tools of his trade. The base is an artistic swirl of demons emerging from the ether.
As Dark Horse readers know, we’ve recently seen Cal with an awesome set of wings. This ultra-rare variant is for the serious collector. Comes in a special white-box with color sticker graphic, along with other surprise extras. Subject to allocation.
2. Cullen Bunn starts his 3,058th series
Cullen Bunn pretty much writes everything now. By next year approximately 76.5% of all new books will be written by Cullen Bunn. I’m actually pretty okay with that if they’re all like his recent work on “Magneto” and his excellent western “The Sixth Gun”. “Harrow County” looks like it’ll fall into “The Sixth Gun” spectrum of Bunn’s work and it sounds pretty awesome if you ask me.
Harrow County #1
Cullen Bunn (W) and Tyler Crook (A/Cover)
On sale May 13
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Emmy always knew that the deep, dark woods surrounding her home crawled with ghosts, goblins, and zombies. But on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she learns that she is connected to these creatures—and to the land itself—in a way she never imagined.
Don’t miss the first issue of this southern gothic fairy tale from the creator of smash hit The Sixth Gun, beautifully and hauntingly realized by B.P.R.D.’s Tyler Crook!
• Featuring two backup stories exclusive to the single issues!
• Drawn by Eisner-winning B.P.R.D. artist Tyler Crook!
1. The First Rule of Fight Club is You Don’t Talk About Fight Club…..except in this article
Comics have seen countless television shows, movies and video games adapted to comics. Too many times they end up being flat out terrible. Those that end up being good are those adaptations that include some or all of the original talent. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” started strong right off the bat because of the inclusion of Joss Whedon. “Fight Club” 2 directly involves Chuck Palahniuk with the story being written by him and that’s a huge deal in my decision to check this out. Cameron Stewart on art makes it a lock because he’s flat out one of the best the medium has to offer.
Fight Club 2 #1
Chuck Palahniuk (W), Cameron Stewart (A/Variant cover), Dave Stewart (C), David Mack (Cover), and Lee Bermejo (Variant cover)
On sale May 27
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Some imaginary friends never go away . . .
Ten years after starting Project Mayhem, he lives a mundane life. A kid, a wife, pills to keep his destiny at bay. But it won’t last long; the wife has seen to that. The time has come . . .
Rize or Die.
• Chuck Palahniuk writes the sequel to Fight Club!
• One of the most anticipated comics of the year.
• Named to ComicBook.com’s Top 10 Comic Events We Can’t Wait For in 2015!
“The first rule of Fight Club might be not to talk about it, but tongues are already wagging about Chuck Palahniuk’s sequel to his 1996 novel.” —The Telegraph (London)
“Just wait until you see what happens next.” —Hollywood Reporter Heat Vision, 5 Comics to Look Out For in 2015
Did I miss anything this month? I probably did. Let me know in the comments and for the full solicitations, visit Comic Book Resources.
