Happy New Year!
Well, in the world of comic book solicitations, it’s a new year. A shiny and new chance to revise your pull list and start buying the comics that you deserve! And that’s what our “Soliciting Multiversity” columns are here to help you do. The month of January 2014 for Dark Horse Comics sees the celebration of 20 years of “Hellboy” – something we already got a huge head start on with our site. (Go back and check out all of our awesome Mignola-centric features from earlier this year.) Happy birthday, big red!
10. A Taste of Conan to Come?
Fred Van Lente was just announced as your next “Conan” writer, after Brian Wood’s run ends, so if you’re as excited about that as we are, you’ll want to pick up the “People of the Black Circle” miniseries that precedes it.
Conan and the People of the Black Circle #4 (of 4)
Fred Van Lente (W) and Ariel Olivetti (A/Cover)
On sale Jan 29
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
To rescue the captive Devi Yasmina, Conan will have to overcome the malicious magicks of the Black Seers of Yimsha. But even if he can defeat the foul sorcerers in their own mountain fortress, he must still contend with their even more formidable master!
• From the celebrated team behind Hercules and Hulk!
9. An Even Longer Time Ago, in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
This seems essential, if you’ve been already loving this oddball series that pulls from George Lucas original scripts. If you haven’t, this might be worth a look if not for the design pages and the “behind-the-scenes” goodness of it.
The Star Wars #0
Jonathan Rinzler (W), Randy Stradley (W), Mike Mayhew (A), Sean Cooke (A), Kilian Plunkett (A), Stéphane Roux (A), Scott Kolins (A), and Nick Runge (Cover)
On sale Jan 1
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
One-shot
A companion to the eight-issue adaptation of The Star Wars, this is an exclusive peek behind the scenes at the designs that have brought a new—yet incredibly familiar—galaxy to life.
Included in this volume are the never-before-seen comics sequences that were used in Dark Horse’s pitch to George Lucas!
• Previously unpublished designs and comics pages!
• Companion to the official eight-issue adaptation of George Lucas’s original rough-draft screenplay for Star Wars!
8. 20 Years in and Mike Mignola Still Has Comics’ Midas Touch
Another “Sledgehammer 44” story comes to an end, highlighting just how solid pretty much anything Mike Mignola does tends to be. I’m not sure how long Mike Mignola plans on going, but the decades long commitment to high quality has been satisfying to watch.
Sledgehammer 44: Lightning War #3 (of 3)
Mike Mignola (W), John Arcudi (W), Laurence Campbell (A/Cover), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Jan 29
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
A battle between the Black Flame and the iron soldier known as Sledgehammer heats up as the fight over a cutting-edge American warplane explodes in the sky!
• From the pages of Hellboy!
7. Put Your Browncoats On
Fans of Firefly have been itching for more since it was unceremoniously canceled over a decade (over a decade?!) ago. Here’s the solicitation, y’all read it while I go contemplate my existence having just realized that it’s been over 10 years since that show was on the air.
Continued belowSerenity: Leaves on the Wind #1 (of 6)
Zack Whedon (W), Georges Jeanty (P/Variant cover), Karl Story (I), Laura Martin (C/Variant cover), and Dan Dos Santos (Cover)
On sale Jan 29
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Malcolm Reynolds’s crew shook the ’verse to its core when they laid bare the crimes against humanity undertaken by their sinister government—the Alliance. Always outlaws, Mal, a very pregnant Zoe, new pilot River Tam, and the other surviving crew members are in greater danger than ever. Meanwhile, everyone is asking the same question . . .
• Buffy’s Season 8 and 9 artist conquers the galaxy!
• Executive produced by Joss Whedon!
6. Shed Your Pretensions
If you read the first issue, or even my review of it, then you know exactly what this series is. It’s no more than that, but it’s also not less. It’s gross, it’s sexy, it’s overbearing, it’s hilarious, it’s violent – it’s high-quality tastelessness.
Grindhouse: Doors Open at Midnight #4 (of 8)
Alex de Campi (W), Simon Fraser (A/C), and Dan Panosian (Cover)
On sale Jan 1
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
The maniacal warden of the prison ship Antares has pushed its comely cons to the limits of human endurance—but these bad mamas won’t take their punishment lying down! Alex de Campi and Simon Fraser dish up the riotous finale to “Prison Ship Antares” in the proud sexploitation tradition!
“Alex de Campi is a writer of tremendous talent and, more importantly, a creator of genuine vision.”—Mark Waid (Daredevil)
5. The Ghost With The Most
We haven’t read issue #1 yet, but we still can’t contain our excitement over this creative team. The first arc ends here – I think it’s worth trying at least that many issues, sight unseen, based on the strength of the creatives.
Ghost #3
Kelly Sue DeConnick (W), Chris Sebela (W), Ryan Sook (A), Dave McCaig (C), and Terry Dodson (Cover)
On sale Jan 22
FC, 32 pages
$2.99
Ongoing
While Doctor October sends her demonic enforcers to attack Elisa and her friends, the White City Butcher captures Tommy and Sloane. Ghost will have to choose between uncovering the secrets of her past and protecting everyone’s future! Interdimensional forces turn Chicago into a war zone in the first arc’s clashing conclusion!
• Kelly Sue DeConnick and Chris Sebela’s fast-paced action barely pauses for breath!
• Stunning art from Ryan Sook (B.P.R.D.)!
• Cover by Terry Dodson!
4. More Stan Sakai Treasures for Your Collection
I am a huge Stan Sakai fan. I think he’s all class and one of those timeless creators whose work is going to be cherished for years and years after he’s gone. I’ve not read these stories, but anything from the man is worth checking out. I’m really enjoying the fact that Sakai has been getting a little break from “Usagi Yojimbo” and we’ve gotten to see some other stuff coming out – whether it’s new (“47 Ronin”) or archived material, as this is.
The Adventures of Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy HC
Stan Sakai (W/A/Cover) and Tom Luth (C)
On sale Mar 19
FC, 96 pages
$14.99
HC, 6” x 9”
Experience the rabbit action epic that might have been! More than just a precursor to Stan Sakai’s beloved Usagi Yojimbo, his tales of medieval unwits Nilson and Hermy are every bit as funny, exciting, and beautifully illustrated as the saga of the familiar rabbit ronin! Collecting Nilson and Hermy’s complete exploits!
• Collects every Nilson story, plus rarely seen extra art!
• Newly scanned from Sakai’s original art and colored by Usagi colorist Tom Luth!
• Don’t miss Nilson and Hermy in November’s Dark Horse Presents #30!
“Stan Sakai is a master.”—Alejandro Jodorowsky
“Stan Sakai is one of the few artists working in comics who completely understand the medium.”—Jeff Smith
3. The Creators of Mice Templar Get Angry
The “Mice Templar” guys doing a street-level celebrity superhero book? I must admit that I have no idea what that’s going to look like. Based on the strength of their previous work together, this one is worth a try.
Continued belowFurious #1 (of 5)
Bryan J. L. Glass (W) and Victor Santos (A/Cover)
On sale Jan 29
FC, 32 pages
$3.99
Miniseries
Staring into a fractured mirror of her life, the world’s first superhero, Furious, seeks to atone for her past sins by doling out rage-fueled justice! But the spotlight of our celebrity-obsessed media threatens to undo her noblest efforts and expose her true identity before she can achieve redemption.
• From Bryan J. L. Glass and Victor Santos the creative team of Mice Templar!
• Furious is where celebrity, fame, and superheroes meet.
2. That Good Ol’ Fashioned B.P.R.D. Feeling
Multiversity Comics pretty much specializes in Mignola. We have a column that covers every Mignola book in review, and we are always coming up with all kinds of ways of celebrating that world. With “B.P.R.D.” #115, Dark Horse Comics looks to begin a victory lap for Mike Mignola’s work, with gorgeous covers honoring the history of “Hellboy” – you’ll want to grab them. And let me be the first to tell you, it’s never too late to start reading these – not even after 20 years.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #115
Mike Mignola (W/Variant cover), John Arcudi (W), James Harren (A), Dave Stewart (C), and Rafael Albuquerque (Cover)
On sale Jan 15
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
Ongoing
Two B.P.R.D. teams make their way through the monster-filled streets of a Manhattan wasteland in order to reach the Black Flame’s fortress and take down his army.
• First of five special covers celebrating 20 years of Hellboy!
• Art by James Harren (Conan the Barbarian), whom Multiversity calls one of their favorite artists ever.
• The fall of New York City!
• The reign of the Black Flame!
1. A Modern Comic Classic in a Classic Package
Because the “Multiversity Collection” edition of “Fear Agent” will never see the light of day, you’ll have to settle for these. I type that with tongue firmly planted in-cheek, because these Library Editions are gorgeously crafted, look great on your shelf, and is the best way that you’ll get to experience these classic stories. Do not miss these – they’re incredible values.
FEAR AGENT LIBRARY EDITION VOLUME 2 HC
Rick Remender (W), Tony Moore (A/Cover), Jerome Opeña (A), Kieron Dwyer (P), Mike Hawthorne (P), John Lucas (I), Lee Loughridge (C), and Michelle Madsen (C)
On sale Mar 5
FC, 480 pages
$49.99
HC, 8″ x 12 3/16″
The outlook isn’t sunny for Heath Huston or his ensemble of Fear Agents—planet Earth is infested by Feeder aliens, robotic conquerors are manipulating the universe through time travel, and Heath discovers a traitor in their midst! This second volume of the deluxe Fear Agent Library Edition collects issues #17-#32 of the popular series, and also includes Tales of the Fear Agent bonus stories and a massive gallery of covers, sketches, and pinups!
• From the writer of Uncanny X-Force, Marvel’s smash hit!
“If there were more comics out there like Fear Agent, I’d buy more comics.” – Eric Powell, The Goon
If we snubbed anything you like, mention it in the comments! If you want to see everything on tap for January 2014 from Dark Horse, CBR’s got everything right here.
