falange
11-jul-2006, 08:35
DARK HORSE COMICS
APPLESEED ID
Written and art by Shirow Masamune.
A collection of sketches, studies, and schematics, Appleseed ID is a must-have companion book for fans of the cyberpunk saga Appleseed and its legendary creator, Shirow Masamune, the manga mastermind behind such classics as Appleseed, Dominion, and Ghost in the Shell. Sit back and relax as Shirow takes you on a guided tour of one of his most beloved worlds, exploring the people, places, organizations and, of course, technology that make the universe of Appleseed the sci-fi hotspot that it is. Feel like taking a break from Shirow's examination and explanation of his creations, and of his own creative process? Then take a browse through this book's beautiful color galleries, or follow Deunan and Briareos on a high-stakes adventure with the short story "Called Game."
144 pages, black and white, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 20.
BANYA: THE EXPLOSIVE DELIVERY MAN VOLUME 2
Written and art by Kim Young-Oh.
Young Kong is entrusted with a delivery of great importance, and Banya schemes to free Mei from her captors. Instead of fighting fire with fire, Banya fights monsters with monsters! The delivery men of the Gaya Desert Post Office have only one motto: "Fast. Precise. Secure." Banya, the craziest and craftiest of the bunch, will stop at nothing to get a job done. Known as the "Explosive Delivery Man" for his daring, dedication, and diligence, Banya promises, "There isn't a delivery I can't make!" Whether it's transporting a rare artifact or reuniting a mother with her long-lost son, Banya will speed through war-torn deserts and mysterious forests, relying on flexibility, daring, and wits to complete his missions--no matter what the odds!
184 pages, black and white, $12.95, in stores on Dec. 20.
BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #118
Written and art by Hiroaki Samura.
"The Sparrow Net," part 1 of 4. Hyakurin, disturbed by her recent encounter with Giichi, takes a break to drink and cry on a stranger's shoulder. Döa and Isaku have two surprise reunions. One will reinforce deep-seated beliefs and long-term goals. The other will have them fighting for their lives in the streets of Edo! Deep in an underground cell, Manji is imprisoned and tortured -- all in the name of "modern Japanese medicine."
Hiroaki Samura's hilarious "Biography" text piece continues, with exclusive pinups, and this issue features another color back cover by Stan Shaw that will link up with other covers to form an exciting, extended image!
32 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 11.
BOTTOMFEEDER
Written by B.H. Fingerman.
In this debut novel by B. H. Fingerman, you will find a comical and creepy foray into the life of a working-class vampire. A man can go missing in New York City. A life can disappear. Teeth can sharpen, skin go pale, eyes reject the sun. One day, you're human. The next, you're a vampire, with an undying taste for blood. Set in the New York of prostitutes, junkies, and lonely hearts, Bottomfeeder tells the story of Philip, a smart-ass in a dead-end job, whose life takes an unusual turn after he tangles with a vampire. Now, spurred by a bloodlust stronger than his humanity, he haunts the abandoned streets alone, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy while looking for prey.
224 pages, $12.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
CLASSIC PEANUTS CHARACTER #1: CHARLIE BROWN
Charles Schulz's Peanuts has won acclaim as one of the most popular comic strips of all time. Printed worldwide to this day, the familiar characters from this masterwork have been the basis for all sorts of entertainment, publishing, corporate identity, and merchandise projects. Dark Horse Deluxe is joining in the fun by creating a special series of limited-edition statues of vintage Peanuts characters.
Inspired by "syroco" sculptures that were popular in the 1930s and Œ40s, the new statuettes from Dark Horse are designed and manufactured in a style consistent with the earlier figures. The first of the statues will feature a new rendition of none other than Charlie Brown. Produced in a limited edition of hand-numbered copies, the figure is fully painted and ready to display. Lucy will be the second release, followed by Linus and the rest of the gang in a pattern of monthly releases.
Each hand-numbered statue comes carefully packaged in a full-color, litho-printed tin box. Also included is a small booklet about each character and a vintage-style pinback button.
5 inches tall, limited to 1,200, with booklet and button, $39.95, in stores on Nov. 15.
CONAN #33
Written by Timothy Truman, art by Cary Nord, colored by Dave Stewart, cover by Tony Harris.
Timothy Truman makes his debut as the regular writer of the Conan ongoing with a skull-shattering story of mad dogs, scheming priests, and humanoid abominations! With the beautiful Jiara in tow, Conan journeys west, away from the treacherous City of Thieves and into the jagged, desolate hills of Zamora. Yet lurking amidst the rocks are adversaries hungry for his flesh, his purse, and his soul. A day of death and pain has dawned for the Cimmerian, and when it ends, the wild, the wicked, and the foolish shall fear one name--Conan!
40 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 18.
CONAN: BOOK OF THOTH
Written by Kurt Busiek and Len Wein, art by Kelley Jones.
Writers Kurt Busiek and Len Wein, creator of Wolverine and Swamp Thing, team up with the grandmaster of horror art, Kelley Jones, to tell the horrifying origin of Thoth-amon‹Conan's greatest adversary!
In the dank alleys of a decaying city, a beggar child conjures visions of a future where, instead of spitting on him in the streets, the rich and privileged cower in fear of his terrible authority. Through cunning, murderous means, he ingratiates himself into a benevolent priesthood, only to turn the church and the nation itself over to the terrible snake-god, Set!
This essential piece of the Conan mythos reveals the secrets behind the dread sorcerer Thoth-amon for the first time!
192 pages, $17.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
CONAN AND THE SONGS OF THE DEAD #4
Written by Joe R. Lansdale, art by Timothy Truman, colors by Dave Stewart.
Out of the burning desert and into the biting forest, Conan travels at the advice of a nomadic tribe with the knowledge of how to use his hard-won treasures to unlock the way to a much grander prize. Yet within the wooded darkness hides a grave and bloody threat. Into the stinking bowels of the earth Conan and his party will be driven, where guardians who were once men protect an ancient and powerful secret.
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 25.
CRYING FREEMAN VOLUME 4
Written by Kazuo Koike, art by Ryoichi Ikegami.
Cult leader Naiji Kumaga is poised for a hostile takeover of Japan. He has the tools--1,000 submachine guns in a land with few firearms--but needs expert hands to wield them, and the assassins of the 108 Dragons definitely have what it takes. Kumaga's plan: capture the Dragons' leader, Crying Freeman, and replace him with a trained double. Snatching the world's deadliest killer is a tall order, but maybe not too tall for the merciless giant, Tohgoku Oshu!
408 pages, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
DARK HORSE COMICS: THE FIRST TWENTY YEARS
Written by Mike Richardson, Frank Miller and Paul Chadwick, art by Mike Mignola, Arthur Adams, Eric Powell and more.
Over the course of its two-decade publishing history, Dark Horse has blazed a trail through the comics industry, setting the precedent for creative freedom and creator rights while consistently delivering the most daring and cutting-edge graphic storytelling. Now celebrating our twentieth year, we take a look back at the writers, artists, and characters who have made Dark Horse the international publishing presence its become, and a look ahead at the up-and-coming talents who will influence generations to come. Dark Horse Comics, 20 years down and we're only getting started!
400 pages, $24.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
THE ESCAPISTS #4
Written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Jason Alexander and Steve Rolston, colors by Matt Hollingsworth and Dave Stewart, cover by Alexander.
In the comic-within-a-comic, Jason Alexander brings Max and Case's gritty new vision of the Escapist to life as samurai-wielding female warriors take Luna Moth hostage. Silence may be golden, but why do these beautiful assassins have their mouths sewn shut?! And what isn't Luna Moth telling her would-be rescuer?
Back in the real world, artist Steve Rolston depicts the growing irritability between Max, Case, and Denny as our heroes go up against the worst villain of all time--a high-powered corporate lawyer!
32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Oct. 11.
FRAZETTA SNOW GIANTS STATUE
ReelArt Studios and Dark Horse Comics present Frazetta's Snow Giants, the first of a four-statue collection inspired by the original artwork of one of the world's most beloved fantasy illustrators, Frank Frazetta. The fully hand painted statue as sculpted by Tony Cipriano depicts one of Frazetta's most famous works and was personally overseen and approved by the master. This amazing statue is minutely detailed, stands 17" tall, and comes packaged in a full-color box. Edition size has not ben determined at the time of solicitation.
17 inches, $350, in stores on Nov. 29.
GHOST IN THE SHELL 1.5: HUMAN-ERROR PROCESSOR #1
Written and art by Shirow Masamune.
Deep into the twenty-first century, the line between man and machine has been inexorably blurred as humans rely on the enhancement of mechanical implants and robots are upgraded with human tissue. In this rapidly converging technoscape, the covert-ops agents of Section 9 are charged to track and crack the most dangerous terrorists, cybercriminals, and ghost hackers. And speaking of ghosts, when supposedly dead people start turning up walking and talking, Section 9 begins to look into the possibility that corpses are being "puppeted" from a remote location, and some serious powerbrokers may be pulling the strings.
Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor presents for the first time in America the "lost" Ghost in the Shell stories, created by Shirow Masamune after completing work on the original Ghost in the Shell manga and prior to his tour-de-force, Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface, but never collected until now. Focusing on Section 9 agents in their daily battle against technocrime, Human-Error Processor has all the mind-twisting cybermadness you've come to expect from Ghost in the Shell but set in a more police-procedural context with action and suspense galore.
This first issue features part one of "Fat Cat," the first of four Ghost in the Shell tales.
24 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 18.
THE GOON VOLUME 5: WICKED INCLINATIONS
Written and art by Eric Powell.
The tide has turned in Goon's war against the undead hordes of the Zombie Priest--or has it? With Buzzard now preventing the harvest of any fresh corpses from the cemetery, the Priest grows desperate. So desperate, that he unleashes incantations of previously unseen power to create a whole new breed of minion--one that may be beyond even the strength of the Goon to contain. But one pays a price for conjuring such evil into the world, and the Zombie Priest quickly discovers that the cost of such power may be far more than he bargained for.
136 pages, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
HELLBOY ANIMATED STATUE: ABE SAPIEN
The awesome aquatic adventurer of the B.P.R.D. is emerging as a finely crafted, full-size collectible statue.
IDT Entertainment is creating a new Hellboy Animated series. Along with creative producers Mike Mignola and Guillermo Del Toro, with voices provided by Ron Perlman and Selma Blair, the two direct-to-video episodes will follow in the footsteps of the comics and successful studio film.
The perfect counterpart to Dark Horse's previously solicited Animated Hellboy statue, Abe Sapien is in a related action-oriented pose, indicative of the atmospheric scenery of the series and the fast-paced sleuthing of Hellboy and his team. Placed together, they work as a set, but each stands alone just fine. Sculpted by top talent Tony Cipriano, this limited-edition piece is true to the animated version from webbed fingers to gills.
10 inches tall, $150, in stores on Nov. 22.
HELLGATE: LONDON #0
Written by Ian Idginton, art by Steve Pugh, colored by Dan Jackson.
Few video games have enjoyed such a frenetic buzz around their release as the upcoming Hellgate: London, and with good reason‹they haven't had the awesome talent of former Diablo developers and executives working on an inaugural release! Now together as Flagship Studios, these formidable creative minds have developed a groundbreaking game that's guaranteed to become another best-selling franchise.
Ian Edginton, the author of Scarlet Traces and the recent War of the Worlds webcomic adaptation, teams with Superman and Preacher artist Steve Pugh to explore this demon-ravaged metropolis in comics form. Hellgate fans will eat up the realistic flavor that both UK creators bring to the work, and Flagship has had hands-on approval every step of the way.
MI5 agent Lyra Darius discovers a human charnel house in the heart of London while tailing Lord Sumerisle, the recently resigned Home Office Minister for Internal Affairs. She's soon entangled in a bloody intrigue with Knights Templar, and everything is building up to All Hallows Eve!
24 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 11.
JONNY CROSSBONES: DEAD MAN AT DEVIL'S COVE
Written and art by Les McClaine.
In the spirit of all-ages, globe-trotting adventure comics like TinTin and classic, serial newspaper strips, Jonny Crossbones: Dead Man at Devil's Cove is a good, old-fashioned, rip-roarin' adventure story, brought to us by Eisner-nominated artist Les McClaine. Jonny is a young auto mechanic drifting through a quiet life in his hometown of Rocky Hill, USA, until a chance meeting with his childhood hero, Doc Fiveash, draws him into a race against unscrupulous foes in search of a long-lost pirate treasure! Jonny teams up with the Doc's fetching niece, Gretchen Fiveash, and they travel across the world to find clues to the treasure's location. Our two brave heroes are shot at, kidnapped, and entangled in a dark plot as this engaging story brings the craftsmanship and thrills of yesteryear's cartoons to a modern audience.
144 pages, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
KING KONG
Written by Christian Gossett, art by Dustin Weaver, cover by Dave Dorman.
One of the biggest motion pictures events of all time explodes off the comics page in this epic adaptation of Peter Jackson's King Kong! Director Carl Denham has one chance to make the film of his dreams‹hire an unknown actress, kidnap his writer, and board a tramp freighter for the mysterious Island of the Skull. But when hostile natives capture actress Ann Darrow, Denham and his crew will face horrors from giant spiders to bloodthirsty dinosaurs to get her back. Yet, nothing can prepare them for the revelation of the mighty wonder in whose clutches Ann truly remains‹King Kong!
96 pages, $12.95, in stores on Nov. 1.
KOTOBUKIYA PRINCESS LEIA SOFT VINYL MODEL KIT
Dark Horse continues its import program of the award-winning large vinyl Star Wars figures. Consisting of six easy-to-assemble pieces, Princess Leia is 10 inches tall.
One of the most alluring female character costumes ever, Princess Leia's slave outfit made an impression on millions of people when she appeared on the screen in Return of the Jedi in 1983. Owing its popularity among teenage boys to a combination of carefully placed metal and fabric, Leia's new look proved to be an overwhelming favorite.
Not to be outdone by other sex symbols, Leia did not sit idly by Jabba's side as her friends were threatened, rather, she strangled her captor with her own slave chains. Our heroine is celebrated in this stunning, realistically rendered vinyl model kit.
10 inches, $99.99, in stores on Nov. 15.
LANKHMAR BOOK 1: SWORDS AND DEVILTRY
Written by Hideyuki Kikuchi.
One of the most influential and critically acclaimed fantasy writers of all time, Fritz Leiber pioneered the sword-and-sorcery genre! In the ancient city of Lankhmar, two men forge a friendship in battle. The red-haired barbarian Fafhrd left the snowy reaches of Nehwon looking for a new life while the Gray Mouser, apprentice magician, fled after finding his master dead. These bawdy brothers-in-arms cement a friendship that leads them through the wilds of Nehwon facing thieves, wizards, princesses, and the depths of their desires and fears. Superb writing and brilliant, believable characterizations highlight the first entry in Leiber's seminal series.
272 pages, $8.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
LITTLE LULU VOLUME 13: TOO MUCH FUN
Written and art by John Stanley, art by Irving Tripp.
The good times never end for this gaggle of suburban heroes mastering the treacherous terrain of school, the beach, and of course, Main Street. Junior detective Tubby tackles a case, Lulu regales the troublesome tot Alvin with a tall tale of the wicked Witch Hazel, Annie gets even with the fellers from the clubhouse, and much more!
Collecting issues #54-58 of the Dell Comics' series Marge's Little Lulu, originally published between November 1952 and March 1953, this brimming volume features some of the funniest comics in known captivity.
208 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
OH MY GODDESS! VOLUME 25
Written and art by Kosuke Fujishima.
Ever since a cosmic phone call brought the four literal young goddesses Belldandy, Urd, Skuld--and, like an occasional vowel, Peorth‹to live in college student Keiichi's residence, his personal life has been turned upside down, sideways, and sometimes even into strange dimensions!
The appearance of the Fifth Goddess has heralded a darker turn in the story--as we are reminded that behind the adorable form of chibi-Hild lies a fearsome demonic intent. Her surprise attack on the goddesses begins by unleashing the beast Tenshikui, the Eater of Angels, which strips the angelic companions from Urd and Peorth's bodies! The stricken pair cannot survive long in this state . . . and Belldandy is the next target. But the Fifth Goddess is of a different order than her comrades‹not a Norn, but a grim Valkyrie, she stands holding a long axe to defend the fallen!
176 pages, black and white, $10.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
OLD BOY VOLUME 3
Written by Garon Tsuchiya, art by Nobuaki Minegishi.
The deadly game of cat-and-mouse continues! Imprisoned for a decade without trial or explanation‹and then released just as unceremoniously‹and now armed with a cell phone that his former torturer has provided for him, will Goto be able to hunt down the truth behind his decade in hell, or will he become even more his tormentor's plaything? No doubt, Goto's adversary still has a few surprises in store, and if Goto wants answers, he'll have to fight like the devil to get them.
216 pages, black and white, $12.95, in stores on Dec. 6
PATH OF THE ASSASSIN VOLUME 4
Written by Kazuo Koike, art by Goseki Kojima.
War! Ninjas! Love! Political intrigue! It's all packed into Path of the Assassin. Drafted by classic samurai manga creators Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima of Lone Wolf and Cub fame, Path of the Assassin is the story of a young shogun on his way to unite Japan, and the trusty ninja assigned to protect him. Be it in crafty maneuverings of war, political push and pull, or bedroom adventures, young Hattori Hanzo will not be kept from his duties.
Published in the popular pocket-sized manga format, Path of the Assassin packs historical fiction and fine art in yet another classic samurai series from Dark Horse.
304 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on Dec. 27.
THE PERHAPANAUTS: SECOND CHANCES #1
Written by Todd Dezago, art by Craig Rousseau.
They're back! Still glowing from the heat of their first mind-numbing miniseries, those prowlers of the paranormal -- The Perhapanauts -- are back to confront more creepy cryptozoological creatures and extradimensional entities! (No, the fact that the team is mostly made up of the same mythic monsters isn't lost on us . . .)
A Bigfoot, a chupacabra, a ghost, and a psychic, all agents for the enigmatic BEDLAM (Bureau of Extra-Dimensional Liabilities and Management), tear it up as they continue the fight to keep us safe from the unseen horrors in our closets and the things that go bump in the night!
Join The Perhapanauts as they delve into the mysteries of the unknown and the unexplained and answer questions like why there're more lines on your left palm than on your right!
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 25.
THE PLAYBOY INTERVIEWS: LARGER THAN LIFE
Edited by Stephen Randall and the editors of Playboy magazine.
Fame: It's a world unto itself. Only certain people -- the lucky few -- are permitted entrance. Their notoriety and influence shape our views on politics, art, commerce, music, even the way we dress and speak. Our lives become defined by how we were before they existed and how we see ourselves after. Everyone remembers where they were the first time they heard the Beatles, watched Muhammad Ali step into the ring, or how they sat in amazement as Marlon Brando filled the big screen. For the last 40 years, Playboy magazine has gone into the living rooms and into the minds of America's glittering few, capturing in candid interviews the thoughts and emotions of these historic men and women at the height of their fame. Now, Playboy and M Press are honored to collect the interviews of 14 people who shaped the world, who can truly be called Larger Than Life.
400 pages, $22.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
REIKO THE ZOMBIE SHOP VOLUME 5
Written and art by Rei Mikamoto.
When Reiko Himezono transfers to a new school, Saint Cross Gakuen, she's confronted with a whole new set of faces. Fitting in might be a bit of a problem, though, since everyone she meets seems to want her dead! Of course, Reiko won't go down without a fight. As a Zombie Shop, she can raise the dead and call up obedient zombie servants from the very depths of Hell itself! But is she powerful enough to handle the dangers that wait for her around every school hall corner, or will this Zombie Shop be closed down for good?
184 pages, black and white, $12.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
REX MUNDI #2
Written by Arvid Nelson, art by Juan Ferreyra.
Rex Mundi is a murder mystery set in a 1930s Europe where sorcerers stalk the streets at night and the Roman Catholic Church never lost its grip on power. Master Physician Julien Saunière must uncover the two-thousand-year-old secret of the Holy Grail before all the world is drenched in blood!
In this issue, Julien and Genevieve flee Paris, on the run from the Holy Inquisition and the agents of the Duke of Lorraine. Their destination: a small town in the south of France where they will uncover the true nature of the Holy Grail. That is, if they survive the trip . . .
Meanwhile, the Prussian army swarms into the heart of France, within shelling distance of Paris itself! Has the Duke of Lorraine overestimated his prospects in the unfolding war?
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 18.
SAMURAI STATUE
Based on the original Dark Horse comic book character created by Ron Marz and Luke Ross, both of whom have been actively involved in this sculpture from its inception, the fantastically detailed work depicts Asukai Shiro, a Japanese samurai from the year 1704.
His saga of pursuit and revenge, in order to rescue his lost love, Lady Yoshiko, inspired one of Dark Horse's most popular series of 2005. Working with one of the best sculptors in the field, Ruben Procopio, Dark Horse captured every nuance and color of the character. Posed in battle, amidst the detritus of feudal combat, this masterpiece was a challenge to create.
11.25 inches, limited to 950 pieces, $175, in stores on Oct. 25.
SATSUMA GISHIDEN VOLUME 2
Written and art by Hiroshi Hirata.
Japan's samurai past is riddled with stories of great fighting prowess and deeply ingrained systems of honor and discipline. But behind the stern demeanor was a society coming apart at the seams. Clashes in class systems and the need for a nation to come together threaten to break up the old ways of warring samurai‹these are tales of such struggles. This is the story of Japan's history, and the beginning of the end of the samurai era.
280 pages, black and white, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 20.
SCARLET TRACES: THE GREAT GAME #4
Written by Ian Edginton, art by D'Israeli.
With the British forces poised to deliver a death blow to their Martian foe, the implacable aliens reveal they've been playing a long game all their own and now the Earth itself is forfeit. For photographer Charlotte Hemming, she's no longer recording history but becoming part of it, as she joins in a last, desperate stand on the Moon! Don't miss the thrilling final issue of Scarlet Traces: The Great Game!
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 11.
STAR WARS: DARK TIMES #1-- THE PATH TO NOWHERE
Written by Welles Hartley and Mick Harrison, art and cover by Douglas Wheatley, colored by Ronda Pattison.
"For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire."
--Ben Kenobi
The dark times are here. Even as the worlds of the former Republic are drawn into the iron grip of Palpatine's Empire, the galaxy seems adrift in a sea of chaos, lawlessness, and despair.
On Coruscant, Darth Vader waits for his Master to reveal his vision for the future. But is there a plan beyond obtaining power? On New Plympto, Jedi Master Dass Jennir leads a Nosaurian army in a war they have already lost. Is this what it now means to be a Jedi?
Dark Times #1 is the gateway to a new era in Star Wars history, an era where the future is grim, evil is on the rise, and all paths seem to lead nowhere . . .
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 25.
STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC #10
Written by John Jackson Miller, art by Brian Ching, colored by Michael Atiyeh.
Secret motivations and a troubled history are revealed in this standalone story of fear, neglect, and betrayal in the Old Republic! After the great Sith War, one Jedi dedicated herself to training only the most gifted seers in hopes of foretelling and preventing the return of the Sith. But obsession with her mission led to oversight elsewhere, allowing dark influences to take hold amidst the Jedi order. Now, events have been set in motion that cannot be undone, the consequences of which will rewrite the fate of the entire galaxy!
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 25.
STAR WARS LEGACY #5
Written by John Ostrander, penciled by Jan Duursema, inked by Dan Parsons, colored by Brad Anderson, cover by Adam Hughes.
A galaxy-shaking secret is revealed in the heat of battle! Old friendships will be strained to the breaking point, unlikely new alliances will be formed, and the relentless forces of evil will pursue their dark ends with even greater vigor and purpose. In a universe on the brink of either destruction or salvation, it is the actions of an unexpected few that will determine the fates of all. The previously uncharted future of Star Wars takes a surprising turn in this latest issue of Legacy‹be there!
32 pages, $2.99, in store on Oct. 3.
VAMPIRE HUNTER D VOLUME 6: PILGRIMAGE OF THE SACRED AND THE PROFANE
Written by Hideyuki Kikuchi, art by Yoshitaka Amano.
Granny Viper is a "people finder," a searcher for lost souls along the roads of a forbidding wasteland. Her latest mission: the safe return of a young woman named Tae, kidnapped eight years ago by vampire Nobility and held in Castle Gradinia on the Frontier's far border. But rescuing Tae is only half the battle‹Viper knows she and the girl can't cross the formidable expanse to the town of Barnabas alone. After making the fatal mistake of hiring the mercenary Bullow Brothers to help her, Granny turns to the legendary Vampire Hunter D for salvation. As they traverse the bleak desert between the Inner and Outer Frontier, the two women and D find themselves in a race for their lives. And they soon discover how cruel the desert is‹and how very ruthless the Bullow Brothers are . . . Features six illustrations by the renowned Yoshitaka Amano, illustrator of Neil Gaiman's Sandman: The Dream Hunters.
280 pages, $8.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO?
Written by Stan Lee and Welles Hartley.
Dark Horse Comics has teamed with the Sci Fi Channel, Nash Entertainment, and comics legend Stan Lee to turn real-people-turned-superheroes into actual comic book superheroes!
For the show Who Wants to Be a Superhero?, Dark Horse and Glass House Graphics joined forces to create a first-issue comic book cover for each of the eleven contestants. The winner of the reality TV show (still to be determined as of this writing) will appear in their own comic-book adventure.
Over the course of six weekly episodes, Stan Lee will put a group of would-be superheroes through their paces, testing them on courage, character, and compassion. Some heroes will fall, while one will emerge triumphant. Who will be a superhero? We don't know yet, but ,somebody is going to live every comics fans' dream!
32 pages, $3.50, in stores on Oct. 4.
WORLDS OF AMANO
Written and art by Yoshitaka Amano.
Worlds of Amano provides a rare look inside the creative process of one of the most influential popular-culture artists working in Japan in the last thirty years.
Originally published in France, Worlds of Amano presents a unique overview of Yoshitaka Amano's diverse work. This vast introduction allows one to take in the full measure of the immense talent of this famous Japanese illustrator, who is so well known for his designs of the Final Fantasy video games.
Eclectic and apparently without limit, Amano's art is stunning. Drawing on numerous projects from over the last thirty years with many rarely seen illustrations, this book captures the rare beauty and inspiration of Amano's vision.
156 pages, $27.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
Portadas:
http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0607/07/darkhorseoct.htm
APPLESEED ID
Written and art by Shirow Masamune.
A collection of sketches, studies, and schematics, Appleseed ID is a must-have companion book for fans of the cyberpunk saga Appleseed and its legendary creator, Shirow Masamune, the manga mastermind behind such classics as Appleseed, Dominion, and Ghost in the Shell. Sit back and relax as Shirow takes you on a guided tour of one of his most beloved worlds, exploring the people, places, organizations and, of course, technology that make the universe of Appleseed the sci-fi hotspot that it is. Feel like taking a break from Shirow's examination and explanation of his creations, and of his own creative process? Then take a browse through this book's beautiful color galleries, or follow Deunan and Briareos on a high-stakes adventure with the short story "Called Game."
144 pages, black and white, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 20.
BANYA: THE EXPLOSIVE DELIVERY MAN VOLUME 2
Written and art by Kim Young-Oh.
Young Kong is entrusted with a delivery of great importance, and Banya schemes to free Mei from her captors. Instead of fighting fire with fire, Banya fights monsters with monsters! The delivery men of the Gaya Desert Post Office have only one motto: "Fast. Precise. Secure." Banya, the craziest and craftiest of the bunch, will stop at nothing to get a job done. Known as the "Explosive Delivery Man" for his daring, dedication, and diligence, Banya promises, "There isn't a delivery I can't make!" Whether it's transporting a rare artifact or reuniting a mother with her long-lost son, Banya will speed through war-torn deserts and mysterious forests, relying on flexibility, daring, and wits to complete his missions--no matter what the odds!
184 pages, black and white, $12.95, in stores on Dec. 20.
BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #118
Written and art by Hiroaki Samura.
"The Sparrow Net," part 1 of 4. Hyakurin, disturbed by her recent encounter with Giichi, takes a break to drink and cry on a stranger's shoulder. Döa and Isaku have two surprise reunions. One will reinforce deep-seated beliefs and long-term goals. The other will have them fighting for their lives in the streets of Edo! Deep in an underground cell, Manji is imprisoned and tortured -- all in the name of "modern Japanese medicine."
Hiroaki Samura's hilarious "Biography" text piece continues, with exclusive pinups, and this issue features another color back cover by Stan Shaw that will link up with other covers to form an exciting, extended image!
32 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 11.
BOTTOMFEEDER
Written by B.H. Fingerman.
In this debut novel by B. H. Fingerman, you will find a comical and creepy foray into the life of a working-class vampire. A man can go missing in New York City. A life can disappear. Teeth can sharpen, skin go pale, eyes reject the sun. One day, you're human. The next, you're a vampire, with an undying taste for blood. Set in the New York of prostitutes, junkies, and lonely hearts, Bottomfeeder tells the story of Philip, a smart-ass in a dead-end job, whose life takes an unusual turn after he tangles with a vampire. Now, spurred by a bloodlust stronger than his humanity, he haunts the abandoned streets alone, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy while looking for prey.
224 pages, $12.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
CLASSIC PEANUTS CHARACTER #1: CHARLIE BROWN
Charles Schulz's Peanuts has won acclaim as one of the most popular comic strips of all time. Printed worldwide to this day, the familiar characters from this masterwork have been the basis for all sorts of entertainment, publishing, corporate identity, and merchandise projects. Dark Horse Deluxe is joining in the fun by creating a special series of limited-edition statues of vintage Peanuts characters.
Inspired by "syroco" sculptures that were popular in the 1930s and Œ40s, the new statuettes from Dark Horse are designed and manufactured in a style consistent with the earlier figures. The first of the statues will feature a new rendition of none other than Charlie Brown. Produced in a limited edition of hand-numbered copies, the figure is fully painted and ready to display. Lucy will be the second release, followed by Linus and the rest of the gang in a pattern of monthly releases.
Each hand-numbered statue comes carefully packaged in a full-color, litho-printed tin box. Also included is a small booklet about each character and a vintage-style pinback button.
5 inches tall, limited to 1,200, with booklet and button, $39.95, in stores on Nov. 15.
CONAN #33
Written by Timothy Truman, art by Cary Nord, colored by Dave Stewart, cover by Tony Harris.
Timothy Truman makes his debut as the regular writer of the Conan ongoing with a skull-shattering story of mad dogs, scheming priests, and humanoid abominations! With the beautiful Jiara in tow, Conan journeys west, away from the treacherous City of Thieves and into the jagged, desolate hills of Zamora. Yet lurking amidst the rocks are adversaries hungry for his flesh, his purse, and his soul. A day of death and pain has dawned for the Cimmerian, and when it ends, the wild, the wicked, and the foolish shall fear one name--Conan!
40 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 18.
CONAN: BOOK OF THOTH
Written by Kurt Busiek and Len Wein, art by Kelley Jones.
Writers Kurt Busiek and Len Wein, creator of Wolverine and Swamp Thing, team up with the grandmaster of horror art, Kelley Jones, to tell the horrifying origin of Thoth-amon‹Conan's greatest adversary!
In the dank alleys of a decaying city, a beggar child conjures visions of a future where, instead of spitting on him in the streets, the rich and privileged cower in fear of his terrible authority. Through cunning, murderous means, he ingratiates himself into a benevolent priesthood, only to turn the church and the nation itself over to the terrible snake-god, Set!
This essential piece of the Conan mythos reveals the secrets behind the dread sorcerer Thoth-amon for the first time!
192 pages, $17.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
CONAN AND THE SONGS OF THE DEAD #4
Written by Joe R. Lansdale, art by Timothy Truman, colors by Dave Stewart.
Out of the burning desert and into the biting forest, Conan travels at the advice of a nomadic tribe with the knowledge of how to use his hard-won treasures to unlock the way to a much grander prize. Yet within the wooded darkness hides a grave and bloody threat. Into the stinking bowels of the earth Conan and his party will be driven, where guardians who were once men protect an ancient and powerful secret.
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 25.
CRYING FREEMAN VOLUME 4
Written by Kazuo Koike, art by Ryoichi Ikegami.
Cult leader Naiji Kumaga is poised for a hostile takeover of Japan. He has the tools--1,000 submachine guns in a land with few firearms--but needs expert hands to wield them, and the assassins of the 108 Dragons definitely have what it takes. Kumaga's plan: capture the Dragons' leader, Crying Freeman, and replace him with a trained double. Snatching the world's deadliest killer is a tall order, but maybe not too tall for the merciless giant, Tohgoku Oshu!
408 pages, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
DARK HORSE COMICS: THE FIRST TWENTY YEARS
Written by Mike Richardson, Frank Miller and Paul Chadwick, art by Mike Mignola, Arthur Adams, Eric Powell and more.
Over the course of its two-decade publishing history, Dark Horse has blazed a trail through the comics industry, setting the precedent for creative freedom and creator rights while consistently delivering the most daring and cutting-edge graphic storytelling. Now celebrating our twentieth year, we take a look back at the writers, artists, and characters who have made Dark Horse the international publishing presence its become, and a look ahead at the up-and-coming talents who will influence generations to come. Dark Horse Comics, 20 years down and we're only getting started!
400 pages, $24.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
THE ESCAPISTS #4
Written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Jason Alexander and Steve Rolston, colors by Matt Hollingsworth and Dave Stewart, cover by Alexander.
In the comic-within-a-comic, Jason Alexander brings Max and Case's gritty new vision of the Escapist to life as samurai-wielding female warriors take Luna Moth hostage. Silence may be golden, but why do these beautiful assassins have their mouths sewn shut?! And what isn't Luna Moth telling her would-be rescuer?
Back in the real world, artist Steve Rolston depicts the growing irritability between Max, Case, and Denny as our heroes go up against the worst villain of all time--a high-powered corporate lawyer!
32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Oct. 11.
FRAZETTA SNOW GIANTS STATUE
ReelArt Studios and Dark Horse Comics present Frazetta's Snow Giants, the first of a four-statue collection inspired by the original artwork of one of the world's most beloved fantasy illustrators, Frank Frazetta. The fully hand painted statue as sculpted by Tony Cipriano depicts one of Frazetta's most famous works and was personally overseen and approved by the master. This amazing statue is minutely detailed, stands 17" tall, and comes packaged in a full-color box. Edition size has not ben determined at the time of solicitation.
17 inches, $350, in stores on Nov. 29.
GHOST IN THE SHELL 1.5: HUMAN-ERROR PROCESSOR #1
Written and art by Shirow Masamune.
Deep into the twenty-first century, the line between man and machine has been inexorably blurred as humans rely on the enhancement of mechanical implants and robots are upgraded with human tissue. In this rapidly converging technoscape, the covert-ops agents of Section 9 are charged to track and crack the most dangerous terrorists, cybercriminals, and ghost hackers. And speaking of ghosts, when supposedly dead people start turning up walking and talking, Section 9 begins to look into the possibility that corpses are being "puppeted" from a remote location, and some serious powerbrokers may be pulling the strings.
Ghost in the Shell 1.5: Human-Error Processor presents for the first time in America the "lost" Ghost in the Shell stories, created by Shirow Masamune after completing work on the original Ghost in the Shell manga and prior to his tour-de-force, Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface, but never collected until now. Focusing on Section 9 agents in their daily battle against technocrime, Human-Error Processor has all the mind-twisting cybermadness you've come to expect from Ghost in the Shell but set in a more police-procedural context with action and suspense galore.
This first issue features part one of "Fat Cat," the first of four Ghost in the Shell tales.
24 pages, black and white, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 18.
THE GOON VOLUME 5: WICKED INCLINATIONS
Written and art by Eric Powell.
The tide has turned in Goon's war against the undead hordes of the Zombie Priest--or has it? With Buzzard now preventing the harvest of any fresh corpses from the cemetery, the Priest grows desperate. So desperate, that he unleashes incantations of previously unseen power to create a whole new breed of minion--one that may be beyond even the strength of the Goon to contain. But one pays a price for conjuring such evil into the world, and the Zombie Priest quickly discovers that the cost of such power may be far more than he bargained for.
136 pages, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
HELLBOY ANIMATED STATUE: ABE SAPIEN
The awesome aquatic adventurer of the B.P.R.D. is emerging as a finely crafted, full-size collectible statue.
IDT Entertainment is creating a new Hellboy Animated series. Along with creative producers Mike Mignola and Guillermo Del Toro, with voices provided by Ron Perlman and Selma Blair, the two direct-to-video episodes will follow in the footsteps of the comics and successful studio film.
The perfect counterpart to Dark Horse's previously solicited Animated Hellboy statue, Abe Sapien is in a related action-oriented pose, indicative of the atmospheric scenery of the series and the fast-paced sleuthing of Hellboy and his team. Placed together, they work as a set, but each stands alone just fine. Sculpted by top talent Tony Cipriano, this limited-edition piece is true to the animated version from webbed fingers to gills.
10 inches tall, $150, in stores on Nov. 22.
HELLGATE: LONDON #0
Written by Ian Idginton, art by Steve Pugh, colored by Dan Jackson.
Few video games have enjoyed such a frenetic buzz around their release as the upcoming Hellgate: London, and with good reason‹they haven't had the awesome talent of former Diablo developers and executives working on an inaugural release! Now together as Flagship Studios, these formidable creative minds have developed a groundbreaking game that's guaranteed to become another best-selling franchise.
Ian Edginton, the author of Scarlet Traces and the recent War of the Worlds webcomic adaptation, teams with Superman and Preacher artist Steve Pugh to explore this demon-ravaged metropolis in comics form. Hellgate fans will eat up the realistic flavor that both UK creators bring to the work, and Flagship has had hands-on approval every step of the way.
MI5 agent Lyra Darius discovers a human charnel house in the heart of London while tailing Lord Sumerisle, the recently resigned Home Office Minister for Internal Affairs. She's soon entangled in a bloody intrigue with Knights Templar, and everything is building up to All Hallows Eve!
24 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 11.
JONNY CROSSBONES: DEAD MAN AT DEVIL'S COVE
Written and art by Les McClaine.
In the spirit of all-ages, globe-trotting adventure comics like TinTin and classic, serial newspaper strips, Jonny Crossbones: Dead Man at Devil's Cove is a good, old-fashioned, rip-roarin' adventure story, brought to us by Eisner-nominated artist Les McClaine. Jonny is a young auto mechanic drifting through a quiet life in his hometown of Rocky Hill, USA, until a chance meeting with his childhood hero, Doc Fiveash, draws him into a race against unscrupulous foes in search of a long-lost pirate treasure! Jonny teams up with the Doc's fetching niece, Gretchen Fiveash, and they travel across the world to find clues to the treasure's location. Our two brave heroes are shot at, kidnapped, and entangled in a dark plot as this engaging story brings the craftsmanship and thrills of yesteryear's cartoons to a modern audience.
144 pages, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
KING KONG
Written by Christian Gossett, art by Dustin Weaver, cover by Dave Dorman.
One of the biggest motion pictures events of all time explodes off the comics page in this epic adaptation of Peter Jackson's King Kong! Director Carl Denham has one chance to make the film of his dreams‹hire an unknown actress, kidnap his writer, and board a tramp freighter for the mysterious Island of the Skull. But when hostile natives capture actress Ann Darrow, Denham and his crew will face horrors from giant spiders to bloodthirsty dinosaurs to get her back. Yet, nothing can prepare them for the revelation of the mighty wonder in whose clutches Ann truly remains‹King Kong!
96 pages, $12.95, in stores on Nov. 1.
KOTOBUKIYA PRINCESS LEIA SOFT VINYL MODEL KIT
Dark Horse continues its import program of the award-winning large vinyl Star Wars figures. Consisting of six easy-to-assemble pieces, Princess Leia is 10 inches tall.
One of the most alluring female character costumes ever, Princess Leia's slave outfit made an impression on millions of people when she appeared on the screen in Return of the Jedi in 1983. Owing its popularity among teenage boys to a combination of carefully placed metal and fabric, Leia's new look proved to be an overwhelming favorite.
Not to be outdone by other sex symbols, Leia did not sit idly by Jabba's side as her friends were threatened, rather, she strangled her captor with her own slave chains. Our heroine is celebrated in this stunning, realistically rendered vinyl model kit.
10 inches, $99.99, in stores on Nov. 15.
LANKHMAR BOOK 1: SWORDS AND DEVILTRY
Written by Hideyuki Kikuchi.
One of the most influential and critically acclaimed fantasy writers of all time, Fritz Leiber pioneered the sword-and-sorcery genre! In the ancient city of Lankhmar, two men forge a friendship in battle. The red-haired barbarian Fafhrd left the snowy reaches of Nehwon looking for a new life while the Gray Mouser, apprentice magician, fled after finding his master dead. These bawdy brothers-in-arms cement a friendship that leads them through the wilds of Nehwon facing thieves, wizards, princesses, and the depths of their desires and fears. Superb writing and brilliant, believable characterizations highlight the first entry in Leiber's seminal series.
272 pages, $8.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
LITTLE LULU VOLUME 13: TOO MUCH FUN
Written and art by John Stanley, art by Irving Tripp.
The good times never end for this gaggle of suburban heroes mastering the treacherous terrain of school, the beach, and of course, Main Street. Junior detective Tubby tackles a case, Lulu regales the troublesome tot Alvin with a tall tale of the wicked Witch Hazel, Annie gets even with the fellers from the clubhouse, and much more!
Collecting issues #54-58 of the Dell Comics' series Marge's Little Lulu, originally published between November 1952 and March 1953, this brimming volume features some of the funniest comics in known captivity.
208 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
OH MY GODDESS! VOLUME 25
Written and art by Kosuke Fujishima.
Ever since a cosmic phone call brought the four literal young goddesses Belldandy, Urd, Skuld--and, like an occasional vowel, Peorth‹to live in college student Keiichi's residence, his personal life has been turned upside down, sideways, and sometimes even into strange dimensions!
The appearance of the Fifth Goddess has heralded a darker turn in the story--as we are reminded that behind the adorable form of chibi-Hild lies a fearsome demonic intent. Her surprise attack on the goddesses begins by unleashing the beast Tenshikui, the Eater of Angels, which strips the angelic companions from Urd and Peorth's bodies! The stricken pair cannot survive long in this state . . . and Belldandy is the next target. But the Fifth Goddess is of a different order than her comrades‹not a Norn, but a grim Valkyrie, she stands holding a long axe to defend the fallen!
176 pages, black and white, $10.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
OLD BOY VOLUME 3
Written by Garon Tsuchiya, art by Nobuaki Minegishi.
The deadly game of cat-and-mouse continues! Imprisoned for a decade without trial or explanation‹and then released just as unceremoniously‹and now armed with a cell phone that his former torturer has provided for him, will Goto be able to hunt down the truth behind his decade in hell, or will he become even more his tormentor's plaything? No doubt, Goto's adversary still has a few surprises in store, and if Goto wants answers, he'll have to fight like the devil to get them.
216 pages, black and white, $12.95, in stores on Dec. 6
PATH OF THE ASSASSIN VOLUME 4
Written by Kazuo Koike, art by Goseki Kojima.
War! Ninjas! Love! Political intrigue! It's all packed into Path of the Assassin. Drafted by classic samurai manga creators Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima of Lone Wolf and Cub fame, Path of the Assassin is the story of a young shogun on his way to unite Japan, and the trusty ninja assigned to protect him. Be it in crafty maneuverings of war, political push and pull, or bedroom adventures, young Hattori Hanzo will not be kept from his duties.
Published in the popular pocket-sized manga format, Path of the Assassin packs historical fiction and fine art in yet another classic samurai series from Dark Horse.
304 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on Dec. 27.
THE PERHAPANAUTS: SECOND CHANCES #1
Written by Todd Dezago, art by Craig Rousseau.
They're back! Still glowing from the heat of their first mind-numbing miniseries, those prowlers of the paranormal -- The Perhapanauts -- are back to confront more creepy cryptozoological creatures and extradimensional entities! (No, the fact that the team is mostly made up of the same mythic monsters isn't lost on us . . .)
A Bigfoot, a chupacabra, a ghost, and a psychic, all agents for the enigmatic BEDLAM (Bureau of Extra-Dimensional Liabilities and Management), tear it up as they continue the fight to keep us safe from the unseen horrors in our closets and the things that go bump in the night!
Join The Perhapanauts as they delve into the mysteries of the unknown and the unexplained and answer questions like why there're more lines on your left palm than on your right!
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 25.
THE PLAYBOY INTERVIEWS: LARGER THAN LIFE
Edited by Stephen Randall and the editors of Playboy magazine.
Fame: It's a world unto itself. Only certain people -- the lucky few -- are permitted entrance. Their notoriety and influence shape our views on politics, art, commerce, music, even the way we dress and speak. Our lives become defined by how we were before they existed and how we see ourselves after. Everyone remembers where they were the first time they heard the Beatles, watched Muhammad Ali step into the ring, or how they sat in amazement as Marlon Brando filled the big screen. For the last 40 years, Playboy magazine has gone into the living rooms and into the minds of America's glittering few, capturing in candid interviews the thoughts and emotions of these historic men and women at the height of their fame. Now, Playboy and M Press are honored to collect the interviews of 14 people who shaped the world, who can truly be called Larger Than Life.
400 pages, $22.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
REIKO THE ZOMBIE SHOP VOLUME 5
Written and art by Rei Mikamoto.
When Reiko Himezono transfers to a new school, Saint Cross Gakuen, she's confronted with a whole new set of faces. Fitting in might be a bit of a problem, though, since everyone she meets seems to want her dead! Of course, Reiko won't go down without a fight. As a Zombie Shop, she can raise the dead and call up obedient zombie servants from the very depths of Hell itself! But is she powerful enough to handle the dangers that wait for her around every school hall corner, or will this Zombie Shop be closed down for good?
184 pages, black and white, $12.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
REX MUNDI #2
Written by Arvid Nelson, art by Juan Ferreyra.
Rex Mundi is a murder mystery set in a 1930s Europe where sorcerers stalk the streets at night and the Roman Catholic Church never lost its grip on power. Master Physician Julien Saunière must uncover the two-thousand-year-old secret of the Holy Grail before all the world is drenched in blood!
In this issue, Julien and Genevieve flee Paris, on the run from the Holy Inquisition and the agents of the Duke of Lorraine. Their destination: a small town in the south of France where they will uncover the true nature of the Holy Grail. That is, if they survive the trip . . .
Meanwhile, the Prussian army swarms into the heart of France, within shelling distance of Paris itself! Has the Duke of Lorraine overestimated his prospects in the unfolding war?
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 18.
SAMURAI STATUE
Based on the original Dark Horse comic book character created by Ron Marz and Luke Ross, both of whom have been actively involved in this sculpture from its inception, the fantastically detailed work depicts Asukai Shiro, a Japanese samurai from the year 1704.
His saga of pursuit and revenge, in order to rescue his lost love, Lady Yoshiko, inspired one of Dark Horse's most popular series of 2005. Working with one of the best sculptors in the field, Ruben Procopio, Dark Horse captured every nuance and color of the character. Posed in battle, amidst the detritus of feudal combat, this masterpiece was a challenge to create.
11.25 inches, limited to 950 pieces, $175, in stores on Oct. 25.
SATSUMA GISHIDEN VOLUME 2
Written and art by Hiroshi Hirata.
Japan's samurai past is riddled with stories of great fighting prowess and deeply ingrained systems of honor and discipline. But behind the stern demeanor was a society coming apart at the seams. Clashes in class systems and the need for a nation to come together threaten to break up the old ways of warring samurai‹these are tales of such struggles. This is the story of Japan's history, and the beginning of the end of the samurai era.
280 pages, black and white, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 20.
SCARLET TRACES: THE GREAT GAME #4
Written by Ian Edginton, art by D'Israeli.
With the British forces poised to deliver a death blow to their Martian foe, the implacable aliens reveal they've been playing a long game all their own and now the Earth itself is forfeit. For photographer Charlotte Hemming, she's no longer recording history but becoming part of it, as she joins in a last, desperate stand on the Moon! Don't miss the thrilling final issue of Scarlet Traces: The Great Game!
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 11.
STAR WARS: DARK TIMES #1-- THE PATH TO NOWHERE
Written by Welles Hartley and Mick Harrison, art and cover by Douglas Wheatley, colored by Ronda Pattison.
"For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire."
--Ben Kenobi
The dark times are here. Even as the worlds of the former Republic are drawn into the iron grip of Palpatine's Empire, the galaxy seems adrift in a sea of chaos, lawlessness, and despair.
On Coruscant, Darth Vader waits for his Master to reveal his vision for the future. But is there a plan beyond obtaining power? On New Plympto, Jedi Master Dass Jennir leads a Nosaurian army in a war they have already lost. Is this what it now means to be a Jedi?
Dark Times #1 is the gateway to a new era in Star Wars history, an era where the future is grim, evil is on the rise, and all paths seem to lead nowhere . . .
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 25.
STAR WARS: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC #10
Written by John Jackson Miller, art by Brian Ching, colored by Michael Atiyeh.
Secret motivations and a troubled history are revealed in this standalone story of fear, neglect, and betrayal in the Old Republic! After the great Sith War, one Jedi dedicated herself to training only the most gifted seers in hopes of foretelling and preventing the return of the Sith. But obsession with her mission led to oversight elsewhere, allowing dark influences to take hold amidst the Jedi order. Now, events have been set in motion that cannot be undone, the consequences of which will rewrite the fate of the entire galaxy!
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Oct. 25.
STAR WARS LEGACY #5
Written by John Ostrander, penciled by Jan Duursema, inked by Dan Parsons, colored by Brad Anderson, cover by Adam Hughes.
A galaxy-shaking secret is revealed in the heat of battle! Old friendships will be strained to the breaking point, unlikely new alliances will be formed, and the relentless forces of evil will pursue their dark ends with even greater vigor and purpose. In a universe on the brink of either destruction or salvation, it is the actions of an unexpected few that will determine the fates of all. The previously uncharted future of Star Wars takes a surprising turn in this latest issue of Legacy‹be there!
32 pages, $2.99, in store on Oct. 3.
VAMPIRE HUNTER D VOLUME 6: PILGRIMAGE OF THE SACRED AND THE PROFANE
Written by Hideyuki Kikuchi, art by Yoshitaka Amano.
Granny Viper is a "people finder," a searcher for lost souls along the roads of a forbidding wasteland. Her latest mission: the safe return of a young woman named Tae, kidnapped eight years ago by vampire Nobility and held in Castle Gradinia on the Frontier's far border. But rescuing Tae is only half the battle‹Viper knows she and the girl can't cross the formidable expanse to the town of Barnabas alone. After making the fatal mistake of hiring the mercenary Bullow Brothers to help her, Granny turns to the legendary Vampire Hunter D for salvation. As they traverse the bleak desert between the Inner and Outer Frontier, the two women and D find themselves in a race for their lives. And they soon discover how cruel the desert is‹and how very ruthless the Bullow Brothers are . . . Features six illustrations by the renowned Yoshitaka Amano, illustrator of Neil Gaiman's Sandman: The Dream Hunters.
280 pages, $8.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO?
Written by Stan Lee and Welles Hartley.
Dark Horse Comics has teamed with the Sci Fi Channel, Nash Entertainment, and comics legend Stan Lee to turn real-people-turned-superheroes into actual comic book superheroes!
For the show Who Wants to Be a Superhero?, Dark Horse and Glass House Graphics joined forces to create a first-issue comic book cover for each of the eleven contestants. The winner of the reality TV show (still to be determined as of this writing) will appear in their own comic-book adventure.
Over the course of six weekly episodes, Stan Lee will put a group of would-be superheroes through their paces, testing them on courage, character, and compassion. Some heroes will fall, while one will emerge triumphant. Who will be a superhero? We don't know yet, but ,somebody is going to live every comics fans' dream!
32 pages, $3.50, in stores on Oct. 4.
WORLDS OF AMANO
Written and art by Yoshitaka Amano.
Worlds of Amano provides a rare look inside the creative process of one of the most influential popular-culture artists working in Japan in the last thirty years.
Originally published in France, Worlds of Amano presents a unique overview of Yoshitaka Amano's diverse work. This vast introduction allows one to take in the full measure of the immense talent of this famous Japanese illustrator, who is so well known for his designs of the Final Fantasy video games.
Eclectic and apparently without limit, Amano's art is stunning. Drawing on numerous projects from over the last thirty years with many rarely seen illustrations, this book captures the rare beauty and inspiration of Amano's vision.
156 pages, $27.95, in stores on Dec. 13.
Portadas:
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