The first details for the, previously announced, former Vertigo founder Karen Berger’s new line of titles at Dark Horse Comics was realeased this morning, showcasing four new titles and a reprint of an out-of-print Vertigo book. The four new titles to be released in 2018 are: “Hungry Ghosts” by author, chef, and television persona Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose; “Incognegro: Renaissance” by writer Mat Johnson and artist Warren Pleece; “Mata Hari” by writer Emma Beeby and artist Ariela Kristantina; and “The Seeds” by writer Ann Nocenti and artist David Aja. The imprint will also put out an expanded edition of Dave Gibbons’ former Vertigo title “The Originals.” Check out the details for all the new Berger Books series below.
“Hungry Ghosts” is a four-issue anthology that has multiple isolated stories featuring a spin on the “Japanese Edo-period game 100 Candles, in which samurai would try to one-up each other with stories to freak each other out. Here, the tellers won’t be samurai; they’ll be chefs from around the world, and their stories will be united by their focus on food.” Bourdain and Rose, who worked together on the Vertigo series “Get Jiro!” are writing with art from the likes of Vanesa Del Rey, Leo Manco, Alberto Ponticelli, Paul Pope, and Mateus Santolouco. “Hungry Ghosts” #1 debuts January 31, 2018.
Debuting next is “Incognegro: Renaissance” from Mat Johnson and Warren Pleece which is a prequel to the 2008 Vertigo graphic novel “Incognegro: A Graphic Mystery,” which is also getting a Berger Books tenth-anniversary reprint on February 6, 2018. “Incognegro” is a five-issue miniseries, debuting February 7th, following reporter Zane Pinchback, a black man who can pass as white, that will explore ideas of race and privilege in America.
“Mata Hari” is also debuting the same month on February 21 from Emma Beeby (“Judge Dredd”) and artist Ariela Kristantina (“InSEXts”) which follows the historical figure of Mata Hari, “titular spy-dancer and the reality of the myths that surround her.” Hari, who was executed in 1917, kept a journal of fictitious stories about her accusers and captors and stories she propagated about herself.
Finally, March 28 will launch “The Seeds” from Ann Nocenti (“Daredevil,” “Catwoman”) and artist David Aja “Hawkeye,” “Immortal Iron Fist,”) about a post-truth America where the “flora and fauna have begun to mutate.” A journalist in this world finds a huge story she is unable to report on and thus crafts the “the biggest myth of her career.”
As mentioned, Bergers Books will reprint “The Originals” in an oversized hardcover format with 32 extra pages of content from “Watchmen” artist Dave Gibbons. “The Orignals” follows a ‘retro-futuristic’ city where a gang called the Originals rule the streets and two childhood friends find trouble when they try to join up.”
Berger also added that more books will be announced at a later date stating, “I plan to have another wave of books later in the year as well,” she says. “It’s not going to be a huge line, because it’s only me editing, which is another reason why I’m excited about doing this: It’s me back to my roots editing comics all the time, which I didn’t get a chance to do hands-on as much as Vertigo grew and grew.”
Look for all of the new Berger Books to launch in 2018 and sound off your reactions to the announcements in the comments!
