BABES, BEASTS, AND BRAWN: SCULPTURE OF THE FANTASTIC TPB
STEVE KIWUS (W)
On sale April 21, SC, 160pg, FC, 8 1/2" x 11", $19.95
Steve Kiwus of Eightball Studios, one of the most in-demand toy sculptors of the era, has now brought together his considerable body of eye-popping work into a collection like none other. Babes, Beasts, and Brawn: Sculpture of the Fantastic is a definitive look into the creation of these powerhouse playthings, with hundreds of stunning color photographs and fascinating insights into Kiwus’ creative process. Beyond the building of plastic toys, Kiwus has created some of the most stunning and in-demand limited-edition cast sculptures of comics and fantasy figures of all stripes, including three-dimensional representations of the paintings of Frank Frazetta and miniature renditions of the Queen of Pin-Ups, Bettie Page. Also included is an in-depth how-to section, where Kiwus chronicles his process step-by-step to aid aspiring professionals.
BERSERK VOLUME 3 TPB
KENTURO MIURA (W/A)
On sale April 14, SC, 240pg, b&w, 5" x 7", $13.95
Guts, the feared Black Swordsman, finishes his desperate battle with the monstrous Count, but the Count’s dying pleas activate the Behelit, summoning the five God Hands, demon lords of immeasurable power. Guts’ journey so far has been a long road of pain and death, but it’s a walk in the park compared to fighting his way out of Hell itself! Created by Kenturo Miura, Berserk is exactly what its title advertises; a savage, gruesome, and often humorous roller-coaster ride, inspiring the internationally popular anime series.
• Each volume of Berserk comes shrink-wrapped and carries a cover content advisory.
• One of the most eagerly anticipated manga properties in recent years, Berserk was originally published in Japan and has been serialized in Young Animal Magazine since the early 1990s.
• The Berserk manga has been adapted into a best-selling anime series available
from Media Blasters!
B.P.R.D.: A PLAGUE OF FROGS #1
MIKE MIGNOLA (W) and GUY DAVIS (A)
On sale March 3, FC, 32pg, $2.99
A giant fungus escapes from its containment in a maximum-security laboratory, pitting the B.P.R.D. against the frog-men they faced ten years ago in the original Hellboy series, Seed of Destruction. Following the success of last year’s B.P.R.D. oneshots, Mike Mignola’s Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense launch into the first of a series of miniseries. Drawn by Guy Davis, the artist of last year’s B.P.R.D.: Dark Waters, and written by Mignola himself, A Plague of Frogs returns to the roots of the characters in this first in this five-issue series.
CASTLE WAITING VOLUME 1: THE LUCKY ROAD
LINDA MEDLEY (W/A)
AVAILABLE NOW!
SC, 184pg, b&w, 6.3/4" x 10.1/4", $17.95
In preparation for the first issue of a new, ongoing Castle Waiting series, Dark Horse—in conjunction with creator Linda Medley and Olio Press—is proud to make available The Lucky Road, a collection of Medley’s award-winning original series. This trade presents her popular, creator-owned concoction: Potter-esque readability, rich characterization, and unexpected twists with a contemporary flavor and sense of humor. The Lucky Road launches into the first major Castle Waiting storyline by introducing readers to Lady Jain, an expectant heroine with a mysterious past, who seeks refuge at the fabled Castle Waiting. Medley’s illustrations range from carefree to haunting, and her clever writing—including a cameo by the Three Little Pigs—will enchant readers of all ages.
•Medley, a multiple Eisner Award winning storyteller, successfully self-published Castle Waiting since the mid-’90s—putting a fresh twist on classic fables and garnering a Xeric Foundation grant and a Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) award in the process.
• “I would recommend Castle Waiting to almost everyone in the world.” –— Comics Buyers Guide
CLASSIC COMIC CHARACTERS #46: DENNIS THE MENACE STATUE
On sale May 12, 5 1/4" tall, packaged in a full-color tin w/pinback button and booklet, $49.95
Dark Horse continues its successful series of “Classic Comic” statues, inspired by the “Syroco” statues of the 1940’s and sculpted by Yoe! Studio. This month we bring you Dennis the Menace, that adorable little troublemaker, seen in comic strips and comic books since 1951. With his stub of blonde hair, overalls, and slingshot in his back pocket, Dennis is instantly recognizable. This statue is a limited edition of 600 numbered pieces, and comes carefully packaged in a special litho-printed full-color tin box. Also included is a vintage-style pinback button, and booklet about the character and his creator, Hank Ketcham.
CONAN #2
KURT BUSIEK (W), CARY NORD (A), and DAVE STEWART (C)
JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER (Cover)
On sale March 24, FC, 32pg, $2.99
Cry For Dawn creator Joseph Michael Linsner provides another stunning cover, as Busiek and Nord adapt their first original Robert E. Howard story, “The Frost Giant’s Daughter.” In the wake of a bloody massacre, Conan comes face to face with the ultimate vision of beauty, an irresistible spirit of the northern wastes. Seduced by the nude beauty, Conan then must confront her trollish brothers in this important moment in the life of the greatest fantasy character of all time.
CONAN PVC SET: THE FROST GIANT’S DAUGHTER
On sale May 5, 4 figure, full color PVC set, $44.95
The frost Giant’s Daughter PVC set is the first of an ongoing series of boxed sets of non-articulated PVC figures based on the Conan stories by Robert E. Howard. Each boxed PVC set will be true to the original stories, and will feature exquisitely detailed sculpting and painting.
The debut offering is inspired by one of the greatest of Conan’s adventures. Four figures, comprise the set: young Conan is dressed for the snowy northern climes, the beautiful and ephemeral maiden who tempts him to follow her across the frozen waste, and her two savage trollish brothers, who close the savage trap she has baited.
Figures designed by noted artist Arthur Suydam. Conan stands approximately 4" high; the giants are a massive 7" high.
CRIMINAL MACABRE: A CAL MCDONALD MYSTERY TPB
STEVE NILES (W) and BEN TEMPLESMITH (A)
On sale April 28, SC, 170pg, FC, $17.95
The creative team behind 30 Days of Night, Wizard magazine’s “breakout hit of 2002,” launch a new series of occult detective stories featuring the monstrously hard-boiled Cal McDonald. A pill-popping alcoholic reprobate, Cal is the only line of defense between Los Angeles and a growing horde of zombies, vampires, and werewolves. The best-selling comics series is collected in this massive graphic novel, including the hard-to-find short from last Halloween’s Drawing on Your Nightmares special issue, and a new cover by Templesmith.
• Steve Niles is the writer of the hit comic 30 Days of Night and the Cal McDonald horror/noir novels, Savage Membrane and Guns, Drugs and Monsters.
• MGM has picked up the film rights to Steve Niles’ and Ben Teplesmith’s comic book miniseries Criminal Macabre through Dark Horse Entertainment!
EISNER/MILLER TPB
FRANK MILLER (W/A) and WILL EISNER (W/A)
On sale April 28, SC, 350pg, FC, 6" x 9", $19.95
It would be hard to imagine any creators who have more greatly affected their chosen medium than Will Eisner and Frank Miller have influenced the world of comic books and graphic novels. Now, culture-curious readers and life-long fans of the comics medium are invited to read along as two of the medium’s greatest contributors—legendary innovator and godfather of sequential art, Will Eisner, and the modern master of cinematic comics storytelling, Frank Miller—discuss one-on-one, in an intimate interview format, the ins-and-outs of this compelling and often controversial art form. Eisner/Miller is widely illustrated and features rare, behind-the-scenes photos of Eisner, Miller, and other notable creators.
FREAKS OF THE HEARTLAND #2
STEVE NILES (W) and GREG RUTH (A)
On sale March 24, FC, 32pg, $2.99
Under the endless skies of America’s heartland, and in the wounded hearts of every family in one tiny rural town, a terrible secret has been kept for too many years. Now, a young boy named Will must try to keep his younger brother from falling victim to the worst fears of a troubled town that can’t begin to understand the tragic secret that binds its families together. Some folks would call Will’s brother a monster. But to Will, his brother’s just another kid trapped in a dark reality he can’t comprehend. But before Will can save anyone, he has to save himself …and it all starts with Will trying to get the gun away from his father.
FUSED: THINK LIKE A MACHINE #4
STEVE NILES (W), JOSH MEDORS (P/cover), and PETER REPOVSKI (I)
On sale March 31, FC, 32pg, $2.99
Mark Haggerty has just about had enough, thank you very much. First his body is co-opted and consumed by a robotic exo-suit. Then a crack team of government mercenaries take every step imaginable to try to convince him (or trick him, depending on how you see things) into joining up with their squad. Topping all that off with the unleashing of a murderous, maniacal monkey-man who likes to throw his own doo-doo around…well, that’s the final straw. Cy-bot’s finally p.o.ed enough to start the buttkicking, but now that Cro-Mag has unveiled a robot pal twice the size of our robot hero, this just might be the end for Cy-Bot!
GO BOY 7 #8
BRIAN AUGUSTYN (W), JON SOMMARIVA (P), and KRIS JUSTICE (I)
FRANCISCO RUIZ VELASCO (cover)
On sale March 31, FC, 32pg, $2.99
Don’t miss out on the most shocking issue of Go Boy 7 to date! Incredible truths will be uncovered! Horrifying secrets will be revealed! Lives will be changed utterly! Everything will be revealed in this one thrill-packed issue including the origin of The Cultist, the true nature of BioAgent, as well as the fate of Jonny Zero. It all comes down to this!
GO BOY 7 VOLUME 1: READY SET GO TPB
TOM PEYER (W), JON SOMMARIVA (P), KRIS JUSTICE (I), and PIERRE-ANDRE DERY (?)
FRANCISCO RUIZ VELASCO (cover)
On sale April 28, SC, 96pg, FC, $12.95
A mysterious plane crash claims the life of Jonny Zero's parents and leaves him critically injured. Enter Professor Zero, Jonny's uncle, who uses his experimental robotic nonplasm to rebuild the boy. Jonny is transformed into Go Boy 7, the human action machine!
This collection of the first four issues of the series feature flash-fire action and high sci-fi drama. Written by Tom Peyer (The Authority), with kenetic art by hot newcomer Jon Sommariva. Don't let Go Boy 7 pass you by!
HELL VOLUME 1: HELL AND GONE TPB
BRIAN AUGUSTYN (W), TODD DEMONG (P/cover), and TIM KANE (I)
On sale April 21, SC, 96pg, FC, $12.95
Corey Rollins’ father disappeared ten years ago. The military claimed that Corey’s father went AWOL, but his family has never believed the story. After being pursued by FBI agents and encountering a mysterious stranger who claims that his father is still alive, Corey sets out on an adventure that will take him to the island known only as HELL! With packs of monstrous human/animal hybrids, and nightmarish swarms of “Chimera,” he may NEVER be able to leave! Written by Brian Augustyn (Crimson, Out There, JLA) and penciled by the sensational Todd Demong, Hell features a cover gallery by Carlos Meglia. This is a run through the jungle you won’t want to miss. Collecting the four-issue series.
HELLBOY: THE CORPSE (one-shot)
MIKE MIGNOLA
On sale March 3, FC, 40pg, $.25
“The Corpse," one of the most celebrated Hellboy stories, not to mention Mike Mignola’s personal favorite, gets a dressing up with a new cover just in time for Hellboy’s big screen debut. While in Ireland, Hellboy helps a family whose baby has been taken by faeries. The thieves demand Hellboy buries their dead friend, a drunken gambler, in hallowed ground. But in the world of Hellboy, nothing is ever as easy as it sounds.
Complemented with behind-the-scenes art from a film sequence inspired by this story, Hellboy: The Corpse is the perfect intro to one of the most acclaimed comics series of all time. As such, this special issue is bargain-priced at 25¢. An ideal way for anyone to get a taste of the horror, before the major motion picture hits screens in April 2004!
MICHAEL CHABON PRESENTS . . . THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF THE ESCAPIST #2
KEVIN MCCARTHY, SCOTT MORSE, TONY TAMAI, MIKE BARON and others
JAE LEE (cover)
On sale March 3, FC, 80pg, $8.95
Foes of freedom beware! The Escapist has returned! Join the Master of Elusion in adventure filled tales of hope and liberation in Michael Chabon Presents…The Amazing Adventures of The Escapist #2. You’ll be on the edge of you seat as the Escapist ventures behind enemy lines in Nazi Germany to hunt down a German physicist on the verge of turning the tide of World War II! You’ll gasp in fear as our hero battles a demonic horde in an Escapist tale from Japan!
OH MY GODDESS! #106: SORA UNCHAINED part 2 (of 8)
KOSUKE FUJISHIMA (W/A)
On sale March 3, b&w, 32pg, (2 of 8), $2.99
The time will come when the meek shall inherit the race track. Shy, spectacled Sora’s time has come! However, before Sora is set to race, she must master her fears. With Keiichi and Belldandy cheering her on, and with a little “goddess assistance,” Sora’s first foray into cart racing may not be the disaster everyone feared…but this month’s serving of humor-filled friendship shows us just how far cute and clumsy Sora has to go!
OLIVIA’S BETTIE PAGE JOURNAL
On sale March 31, full color, covered spiral journal, 128pg, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", $9.99
Olivia De Berardinis has taken a place beside classic glamour artists like
Vargas and Petty and reigns as the queen of contemporary pin-up art. What better talent to depict our favorite model Bettie Page? Olivia’s take on Bettie is sensuous and sparkling. She captures the elusive special magic of Bettie like few other artists can. Dark Horse is proud to launch a related program of Olivia’s Bettie. This journal comes with a covered spiral bound cover, full-color, and with 128 pages to scrawl your brilliant ideas.
RAGNAR JOURNAL
On sale March 31, full color, covered spiral journal, 128pg, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", $9.99
One of today’s hottest graphic artists/ designer’s is the man known simply as Ragnar. Inspired by the unique look of the ‘50s and early ‘60s, Ragnar has evolved this visual sensibility into a look that is all his own and as modern as tomorrow. This journal comes with a covered spiral bound cover, full-color, and with 128 pages to scrawl your brilliant ideas.
SHAG VINYL CD CASE
On sale February 11, full color, vinyl CD case, $11.99
Slip your CD’s into a swingin’ Shag CD case. You’ll be transformed into a lounge listenin’, libation lovin’ cocktail queen or king, just like the hep chick on the case, relaxing to tunes on her phonograph. Each portable, soft vinyl case holds 24 CDs, with zipper closure for easy access. Your CD’s will be protected in a layer of cool!
STEVE RUDE’S THE MOTH DOUBLE SIZED SPECIAL
STEVE RUDE (A/cover) and GARY MARTIN (W/I)
On sale March 17, FC, 56pg, $4.95
Ten time comic industry award winner Steve Rude (Nexus, Thor, Captain America), and writer/inker Gary Martin (The Art Of Comic Book Inking), deliver an action packed adventure that reminds us of what comics are all about! In The Moth, Dark Horse has allowed Steve Rude unrestricted creative freedom. And Rude has responded with some of the best work of his career! In this issue The Moth, who is living with a touring circus troop, finds himself in a battle for his very life, against a savage creature known as the Lionman of Botswana.
If your looking for outlaw bikers, circus clowns, African witch doctors, blood-thirsty monsters, and bearded ladies, then this story is for you!
SUPER MANGA BLAST! #41
MASAMUNE SHIROW (W/A), KENICHI SONODA (W/A), MOHIRO KITOH (W/A), MAKOTO KOBAYASHI (W/A), YUZO TAKADA (W/A), and HIROYUKI UTATANE (W) & YO MORIMOTO (A)
On sale March 31, b&w, 128pg, $5.99
Cannon God Exaxxion joins the line-up of America’s premier manga anthology. If Hoiichi “Gun” Kano had his way, he’d be getting in fights at school and chasing pretty girls, but an alien race has thrown down the gauntlet of world domination, and he just can’t avoid being involved with humankind’s only hope: the huge, mysterious Exaxxion robot! Makoto Kobayashi’s hilarious What’s Michael? returns, where we find the antics of the world’s most conniving cat; the charming Club 9 in which a pretty, young college student finds work in one of the city’s ritziest hostess bars. Science fiction drama collides with full-tilt action in Seraphic Feather; and in Shadow Star, Shiina continues to cope with incredible new friends, family drama, and a growing, malicious group of dragon bearers bent on world choas!
TALES OF THE VAMPIRES #4
JOSS WHEDON (W), ALEX SANCHEZ (A), BEN EDLUND (cover), and others
On sale March 10, FC, 32pg, $2.99
In Joss Whedon’s continuing serial, a group of precocious young Watchers is schooled on the mysteries and treacheries of vampires. Ben Edlund, creator of The Tick and current staff writer on Whedon’s Angel show, returns to comics with a cover and a story this issue, once again pointing to Whedon’s world as the ultimate melting pot of TV and comic books.
TIM BISKUP’S 100 PAINTINGS BOOK HC
Dark Horse is proud to make this fine work available to all.
TIM BISKUP (A)
On sale May 12, HC, 112pg, FC, $14.95
Reproducing Tim Biskup’s “100 Paintings” series in a compact, hardcover book, this 5" x 5" volume of one hundred crisp, colorful paintings. The hardcover volume presents Biskup’s work in its actual size, with an introduction by critically acclaimed illustrator and Emmy winner, Gary Baseman. Inspired by his Italian sketchbook, Biskup tied his illustrations together with numbers and set a goal of completing one hundred detailed paintings. The ensuing boof, “100 Paintings,” was immediately popular among fans appreciating its compact size.
TIM BURTON ROBOT BOY LUNCHBOX
On sale March 10, 8" x 7" x 3 3/4" metal lunch box, $14.99
Tim Burton’s Robot Boy is emblazoned on this painted tin lunchbox. On the outside, you’ll find Tim Burton’s illustrations of the electrified aluminum boy, antennas and all. On the inside, the heartbreaking poem from “The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories,’ which describes Robot Boy’s curious origins and his parents subsequent displeasure from having a son who looks like a garbage disposal.
ULTRAMAN TIGA #8 (of 10)
TONY WONG (W) and KHOO FUK LUNG (A)
UDON (cover)
On sale March 31, FC, 40pg, (8 of 10), $3.99
As the former members of the recently disbanded Global Unlimited Task Squad are kept under lockdown, a malevolent alien presence is controlling Japan’s military and activating its weapons of mass destruction. The situation is pushing toward a full-scale missile crisis, and Ultraman Tiga’s human alter ego can only sit back in his holding cell and wait, afraid to reveal his secret identity to his fellow GUTS members. By the time Daigo makes his move, it may already be too late to save the planet from all-out war! Continuing the knock-down, drag-out series from Hong Kong.
USAGI YOJIMBO #74
STAN SAKAI
On sale March 31, 24pg, b&w, $2.99
Stan Sakai’s internationally acclaimed samurai adventure continues! Wandering ronin Usagi and his young companion Jotaro meet up with Katsuichi-sensei sooner than expected, and all continue on to Kitanoji Temple to retrieve the late samurai Koji’s swords. En route they encounter a town where the crowds are being entertained by a troupe of performers. But all is not what it seems, and the sinister side of this troupe’s unique abilities is shortly revealed in this first issue of the two-part “Hokashi”!
WHAT'S MICHAEL?: THE IDEAL CAT TPB
MAKOTO KOBAYASHI (W/A)
On sale April 14, SC, 88pg, b&w, 5 3/4" x 8 1/4", $8.95
Described as “Japan’s version of Garfield, Heathcliff, and Krazy Kat all rolled into one,” Makoto Kobayashi’s What’s Michael? is one of graphic fiction’s true comedic originals. It combines day-to-day cat scenarios every cat lover (and hater!) will recognize, with off-the-wall flights of fantasy that will have readers scratching their heads, while holding their sides from laughter. If you think comics are only about superheroes, it’s time to switch gears and have a few—or more than a few!—laughs with What’s Michael?!
