Another month, another round of solicits. September is a fairly quiet month for Dark Horse with a nice amount of ongoings putting out new issues but finding something totally new isn’t that easy. But have no fear, I did the work and found lots of stuff for you to buy. Let’s jump into the picks.
10. Digging Deep
The world of Archie Andrews is getting a lot of attention right now thanks to its successful reboot and upcoming television show. Archie and his friends have been around as long as Superman, which somehow gets forgotten. Dark Horse (for whatever reason) is reprinting the earliest “Archie” comics and this is just one of many books that have come out. I don’t really have the chance to be around decades old comics so this is a great chance for me to see stuff from when comic books really got going.
Archie Archives: The Double Date and Other Stories TP(advance solicit)
Harry Sahle (W/A), Ed Goggin (W), Bill Vigoda (W/A), Janice Valleau (A), and Virginia Drury (I)
On sale Nov 9
FC, 232 pages
$19.99
TP, 6 5/8” x 10 3/16”
Archie Andrews and his calamitous crew of bosom buddies are some of the best-known characters to ever emerge from the pages of comic books. This beautifully reproduced paperback includes 200-plus pages of hilarious high-school high jinks and wonderful cartooning by the great talents who originally brought Archie to life! Collects stories from Pep Comics #46–#50 and Archie Comics #7–#10!
9. Yet Another Gaiman Reprint
Neil Gaiman didn’t exactly disappear but he’s having a moment right now. Dark Horse has been putting out reprints like crazy (many of which have appeared here). This is another one that I haven’t really heard of before seeing it in the solicits. I feel like it’s worth mentioning because of how prolific he is so if you’re a fan of his more obscure work, this is for you.
Creatures of the Night HC (Second Edition)(advance solicit)
Neil Gaiman (W) and Michael Zulli (A/Cover)
On sale Nov 2
FC, 48 pages
$12.99
HC, 7” x 10”
Two magical stories featuring strange creatures that are not quite what they seem! In “The Price,” a mysterious feline engages in a nightly conflict with an unseen, vicious foe. “The Daughter of Owls” recounts a tale of an orphan girl—and how those who wronged her faced bizarre consequences!
• From New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman (The Sandman)!
• Gorgeously redesigned new edition!
8. The Coloring Book Craze Lives On
I’m not a part of the adult coloring book craze but I’m not going to knock it. I’ve heard that people can have their anxiety eased by them and if it helps, then so be it. Dark Horse is getting in on this with their own properties getting the treatment. If anything, coloring the world of “Avatar” should be a lot of fun.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Coloring Book TP(advance solicit)
Jed Henry (A/Cover)
On sale Oct 5
b&w, 96 pages
$14.99
TP, 10” x 10”
Relive your favorite scenes from Avatar: The Last Airbender with this beautifully detailed coloring book! Filled with 45 black-and-white images by artist Jed Henry, and produced in collaboration with creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, this book is sure to be a hit with any Avatar fan!
7. Vampires Never Stop Hunting
I’ve watched the show on FX a little bit but it dragged on. I feel like the characters made strange choices constantly and the horror elements were a bit lacking. Granted, I haven’t gone past the halfway point of season 1 but I feel like if I spend 4 hours on a show it should grab me enough to stay for more. My reason for including this is that from what I’ve read of the comic, it’s better. I’ve enjoyed it more. This is another miniseries featuring violent vampires doing what they do. Plus look at this sweet Ferreyra cover!
Continued belowThe Strain: Mister Quinlan—Vampire Hunter #1 (of 5)
David Lapham (W), Edgar Salazar (P), Keith Champagne (I), Dan Jackson (C), Juan Ferreyra (Cover), and Paolo Rivera (30th anniversary variant cover)
On sale Sept 14
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
A vampiric abomination seeks to destroy the monster that sired him. Born as a mistake of a powerful vampire known as the Master and raised in the brutal gladiatorial arenas of ancient Rome, Mr. Quinlan must survive long enough to carry out his mission when his target begins hunting him.
• Go back to the beginnings of a popular character from The Strain.
• Watch The Strain on FX!
6. When Superheroes Stop Superheroing
“Black Hammer” isn’t out yet but I’ve had the chance to read an advance of the first issue and let me tell you, this is the good stuff. This is another superhero story but it’s quiet, nuanced and more a story about making hard choices. It’s strikingly beautiful and something you really need to pick up.
Black Hammer #3
Jeff Lemire (W/Variant cover), Dean Ormston (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C))
On sale Sept 21
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Ongoing
Long before Spiral City’s greatest heroes were written out of their universe, the Martian champion Barbalien was already stranded far from home. Disguised as churchgoing Mark Markz in the timeless farming community where the heroes find themselves trapped, Barbalien faces a terrifying personal decision, even as he relives his painful past!
• Variant cover by Jeff Lemire!
5. The House Closes
“House of Penance” has been a fascinating horror title that’s flown under the radar. It honestly bums me out but I get it. There’s a lot for people to choose from and things can go unnoticed. That is why I love doing this. I can show you all this and you can pay attention to getting the trade. Get this trade.
House of Penance #6 (of 6)
Peter Tomasi (W), Ian Bertram (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Sept 21
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Evil has infiltrated Sarah’s sanctuary. Even Warren Peck, her newfound protector and confidant, is overwhelmed by the spirits that seek revenge upon her. In the terrifying conclusion of Tomasi and Bertram’s horror miniseries, Sarah is forced to confront her demons, face to face.
“Blending horror, history and fiction, House of Penance stands as a singular triumph. Tomasi and Bertram have crafted something truly special with this book.”—Scott Snyder (Wytches)
4. MOAR Aliens
So because of this column, I’ve really opened up to Dark Horse’s “Alien” books. They do a really great job with putting top notch creative teams on the books and it makes for an enjoyable sci fi read. This is a new miniseries that you can jump into despite it being a sequel. If you’ve seen Aliens, you can follow it.
Aliens: Life and Death #1 (of 4)
Dan Abnett (W), Moritat (A), Rain Beredo (C), David Palumbo (Cover), and Sachin Teng (Variant cover)
On sale Sept 21
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
In the aftermath of the battle with the Engineers, the surviving humans on LV-223 are wounded and scattered—and easy prey for a gathering horde of Aliens!
The Colonial Marines get a taste of what it’s like to be at the bottom of the food chain!
“Dan Abnett lives up to the hype and delivers a fantastic story.”—Hulking Reviewer
3. Apes and Loincloths
Phil Collins is magical and he made care about Tarzan. This is a crazy crossover that’s right up my alley because of how random it is. I love crazy comic booking so between Phil Collins and weird crossing over, this could be a quiet hit for me.
Continued belowTarzan on the Planet of the Apes #1 (of 5)
Tim Seeley (W), David Walker (W), Fernando Dagnino (A), Sandra Molina (C), and Duncan Fegredo (Cover)
On sale Sept 28
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Raised as brothers but separated by slave traders, Tarzan and his ape brother Caesar reunite when the war between man and ape takes them from the jungles of Africa to the center of the earth.
• From the writers of Revival and Power Man and Iron Fist!
• A co-publication with Boom! Studios!
2. Speaking Of Crazy Comic Booking
Going off the last pick, you can see why this is on my list this month. Historical fiction can be one of the most fun genres to play with and I’m extremely curious about this book. It’s another example of crazy comic booking and with a foreward by Grant Morrison, we’re almost guaranteed that this will be totally bonkers.
Aleister & Adolf HC (advance solicit)
Douglas Rushkoff (W) and Michael Avon Oeming (A/Cover)
On sale Nov 2
b&w, 96 pages
$19.99
HC, 6” x 9”
Media theorist Douglas Rushkoff weaves a mind-bending tale of iconography and mysticism. During the Second World War, the legendary occultist Aleister Crowley develops a powerful and dangerous new weapon in the conflict against the Axis powers. But this unconventional new form of warfare could cast the world into Armageddon!
• Beautifully rendered by Michael Avon Oeming (Powers)!
• Foreword by Grant Morrison!
1. Just a Thought Will Ruin You
When I was looking at the solicitations for September, there was no question what my number one pick would be. Yes, it’s an advance solicit but it’s worth it. I only got into manga and anime recently. “Attack on Titan” really brought me in and “Psycho Pass” helped me really understand how great anime is. In “Psycho Pass”, the Sybil System can read your psychological makeup and decides if you might commit a crime in the future. Those who will, are jailed or worse. Shinya Kogami is a main character in the first series but he’s not a cop anymore. Even he wasn’t safe from becoming what he was protecting the world from. This is a prequel though and this is before all that happens to him. That’s why I’m excited. I can’t wait to see Kogami doing his thing before he was stopped. This fall, a lot of big projects are due out but this here is my most looked forward to book.
Psycho Pass: Inspector Shinya Kogami Volume 1 TP
Midori Gotu (W) and Natsuo Sai (A/Cover)
On sale Nov 9
FC, 160 pages
$11.99
TP, 5 1/8” x 7 1/4″
In this prequel to the hit science-fiction crime drama anime series, Psycho Pass: Inspector Shinya Kogami reveals how the legendary Enforcer was once an ace detective! Working within the city-regulating Sybil System, Inspectors must fight crime in a future where a single number measures your criminal tendencies and determines if you are useful to society!
• From star creator Gen Urobuchi (Fate/Zero, Puella Magi Madoka Magica).
• Ties in with the hit anime series! One of Funimation’s first anime to be streamed as a “broadcast dub.”
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below and head over to CBR for the full solicitations.
