3 x 3 EYES VOLUME 8: DESCENT OF THE MYSTIC CITY TPB
YUZO TAKADA (W/A)
On sale May 5, SC, 288pg, b&w, 5 3/4" x 8 1/4", $18.95
Pai doesn’t look a day over sixteen; of course, she’s 300 years old and the last of an ancient mystical race. Yakumo looks no different than your average Tokyo teen; however, he’s been resurrected from the dead as Pai’s immortal slave and defender. They’re both on a quest to return Pai to her hidden homeland and ultimately to return Yakumo to his mortal form. They’ve been through hell and high water to find a lost Tibetan shrine that holds the keys to the Sacred Land of Kunlun. But with the mission accomplished, the return to Kunlun turns out not to be the heartfelt reunion Pai had hoped for, but could instead reveal her incredible journey to be only a ruse that could well release the evil Kaiyan Wang from imprisonment in the Sacred Land! Collecting stories from Super Manga Blast! issues #32-40.
FOR MATURE READERS
B.P.R.D.: A PLAGUE OF FROGS #2
MIKE MIGNOLA (W) and GUY DAVIS (A)
On sale April 7, FC, 32pg, $2.99
The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense traces the disappearance of a giant fungus to a deserted town. Separated from the group when their helicopter crashes, Roger the Homunculus, enthralled by a mysterious child, winds up hanging from the neck in an abandoned building. Meanwhile, the rest of the B.P.R.D. team lies unconscious at the crash site, and Abe Sapien dreams of underwater terrors.
BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #88: LIGHT AND SHADOW one-shot
HIROAKI SAMURA (W/A)
On sale April 14, b&w, 32pg, $2.99
Hunted by the surviving members of the Shingyötö-ryü clan, Rin continues her flight towards Edo. She travels in a strange alliance with Anotsu, her sworn enemy who is suffering from a mysterious ailment. Will Rin have her chance to finally take him out…or will she find herself fighting alongside him? Done in Hiroaki Samura’s kinetically masterful fashion, the thrilling action sequence in this one-shot issue is on par with Rin’s “Flight of the Golden Wasps” move. With Manji also hot on Rin’s trail, several major players in this revenge epic begin to move closer to an inevitably bloody reunion!
FOR MATURE READERS
CANNON GOD EXAXXION STAGE 3 TPB
KENICHI SONODA (W/A)
On sale May 12, SC, 224pg, b&w, 5 3/4" x 8 1/4", $16.95
Hoichi is Kano is a typical Tokyo teenager...EXCEPT that he pilots a state-of-the-art integrated gunsuit AND the antimatter-powered, cannon-toting, mega-robot Exaxxion AND he may be humankind’s last hope against colonizing aliens. Other than that, he’s just your absolutely typical teen. Luckily, these extras will make matters a bit easier when he has to rescue his high-school crush—and his Mom!—from alien imprisonment. Of course, he may have to spend a bit of time explaining about his sexy shape-shifting android assistant, and he might need to do some image damage control after he levels a building or two, but that’s nothing any teenager couldn’t talk their way out of, right? It’s not like he stole a car or something! Collecting issues #14-20 of the series.
CLASSIC COMIC CHARACTERS #47: BARNEY GOOGLE
On sale June 9, 5 1/4" tall, packaged in a full-color tin w/pinback button and booklet, $49.95
This month we bring you Barney Google, sports and gambling aficionado, seen in comic strips and animated cartoons since 1919. With his instantly recognizable cigar and top hat, this diminutive fellow was a fan of sports and especially fond of the racetrack. The strip started as a daily one-punchline cartoon. In 1926 Barney was joined by sidekick Spark Plug, a ragged racehorse, inspiring a full-length strip and more detailed plot lines. Eventually Barney ran from the law into the Kentucky woods, meeting up with Snuffy Smith, who became the focus of the strip. This statue is offered in an limited edition of 550 numbered pieces and comes packaged in a special litho-printed full-color tin box with a vintage-style pinback button, and booklet about the character and his creator, Billy DeBeck.
CONAN #3
KURT BUSIEK (W), CARY NORD (A), and DAVE STEWART (C)
JOSEPH MICHAEL LINSNER (Cover)
On sale April 28, FC, 32pg, $2.99
In the aftermath of “The Frost Giant’s Daughter,” Conan heads into battle with the men of Asgard, never suspecting the treachery they hold in store for him, nor the horror coming down from Hyperborea. Dark Horse’s bold new interpretation of Robert E. Howard’s greatest creation.
“Rendered by Cary Nord, it feels like historians unearthed a vibrant, bloody tapestry. These are, once again, the days of high adventure.” —Entertainment Weekly
EL ZOMBO #1 (of 3)
KEVIN MUNROE (W) and DAVE WILKINS (A)
DAVE WILKINS and TONY WASHINGTON (Cover)
On sale April 21, FC, 32pg, $2.99
El Zombo is the story of the unlikely friendship between a temperamental undead wrestler and an equally difficult 10-year-old girl from East L.A. Pro wrestling champ El Zombo gets a second lease on life after being unceremoniously murdered in a back alley for refusing to take a dive in the ring. His deal is to return to Earth to help Belisa Montoya—a troubled girl about to fall victim to a horrible unknown accident. Returning at first for selfish reasons of revenge, El Zombo soon finds himself at a crossroads, forced to choose between his own vengeance and saving the life of this girl he now deeply cares for. El Zombo #1 is the first of a three issue series.
FRAZETTA PHOTO ZIPPO® LIGHTER #3: THE BRAIN
On sale May 12, FC image on chrome zippo® lighter, $39.99
Third in a series of full-color collectible Zippo® lighters featuring the paintings of Frank Frazetta. The lighter uses an advanced manufacturing process that allows exacting full-color work to be permanently adhered to a Zippo® lighter with no loss of accuracy in the reproduction.
We bring you “The Brain” in vivid color. Originally presented in the 1960’s as a cover to the Warren magazines that helped launch the Frazetta renaissance, this image has stood the test of time and stands in the pantheon of Frazetta classics.
Packaged in a tin box encased in a full-color cardboard sleeve.
THE GOON VOLUME 2: MY MURDEROUS CHILDHOOD (AND OTHER GRIEVOUS YARNS) TPB
ERIC POWELL (W/A)
On sale May 5, SC 128pg, FC, $13.95
The Goon and Franky have been best friends ever since they was tykes. Find out how the two little ankle-biters became best pals, and how they muscled their way into the rackets of big-time crime-boss, Labrazio—who, incidentally, nobody’s seen in a while. This trip down memory lane ain’t gonna be no joyride, neither. Franky and the Goon are going to have to take on a horde of zombies, an army of hoboes, a couple of grave robbin’ mongoloids, a guy with a gold head and his killer robot, a pie-crazed skunk ape, one homely, man-crazy sea hag, and whole lot of other things that smell just as bad if not worse. Pick up a copy, because those uptown rich people may have the cops and their G-men, but down here all we got is the Goon! Collecting issues #1-4 of the Dark Horse series, plus the 8-page story from Drawing on Your Nightmares; “The Brothers Mud.”
THE GOON #6
ERIC POWELL (W/A)
On sale April 14, FC, 32pg, $2.99
As if the Goon doesn’t have enough to worry about, what with zombies, werewolves, vampires, bog lurks, and psychic amphibious mammals running around, the last thing he needs is an ALIEN INVASION! A gelatinous space blob comes to town for a little Earthly vacation, but all hell breaks loose when he unleashes an unstoppable, towering, fire-breathing, Mexican lizard! All seems lost until a figure from the past steps in to lend the Goon a hand, but WILL IT BE TOO LATE?!
Eric Powell’s The Goon has been hailed as a book that would “leave you drooling like an undead ghoul at a brain buffet” by Entertainment Weekly.
“If you Wanna splatter your scares with a solid dose of laughter, The Goon will be right up your alley. This mixture of Lovecraftian pulp horror and wild slapstick comedy will deliver a devastating 1-2 combination of laughs and chills.” —Wizard Magazine
HELLBOY MOVIE PRODUCTS
2004 is a big year for Hellboy. Revolution Studios is releasing a major motion-picture starring the world’s greatest paranormal investigator, Hellboy! To celebrate, Dark Horse is making t-shirts, PVC sets, coasters, and tin signs.
Hellboy Movie T-Shirts
On sale May 12
Hellboy Movie Logo
Black Adult Tee
M-XL…$17.99
XXL…$19.99
Hellboy with Gun
Black Adult Tee
M-XL…$17.99
XXL…$19.99
Hellboy in Profile
Black Adult Tee
M-XL…$17.99
XXL…$19.99
Kroenen
Black Adult Tee
M-XL…$17.99
XXL…$19.99
Hellboy Movie Photo Coaster Set
On sale April 7, 4 full color coasters, 1/8" thick, packaged in a printed circular tin case, $12.99
Hellboy Coaster Set featuring Hellboy, Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman, and the official movie logo. These1/8” thick, high-quality coasters come packed in a beautifully printed circular tin case.
Hellboy in Profile Tin Sign
On sale April 14, 12" x 16.7" full color tin sign, $14.99
Measuring 12" x 16.7" this Hellboy tin sign is the perfect size to decorate your wall, door, or creepy attic room. We’ve chosen a stunning image of Hellboy in profile, inspired by Mike Mignola’s original artwork.
This sturdy sign is made of pressed tin, with folded, rounded edges and comes packaged in poly bag with header card.
HELLBOY: WEIRD TALES #8
KIA ASIMIYA (W/A) , TOMMY LEE EDWARDS (W/A), and JILL THOMPSON (W/A)
MICHAEL W. KALUTA (Cover)
On sale April 14, FC, 32pg, $2.99
This award-winning lineup of creators present their takes on our favorite paranormal investigator’s entanglements with a monstrous toy company, WWII fighter pilots, and a skeleton casting call. Featuring a pin-up by Gary Fields. On the heels of the Hellboy film premiere, Hellboy: Weird Tales #8 is the conclusion to the hugely successful series.
THE INVINCIBLE ED TPB
RYAN WOODWARD (W/A)
On sale May 12, SC, 112pg, FC, $13.95
A regular geek at Chesterton High, Ed, mistakenly receives the alien power of invincibility but to his horror, being a superhero just hurts like hell! Without super strength, heat vision, or anything at all, Ed learns the ropes of being a superhero with only an extremely high level of pain tolerance. Jealously enraged at Ed’s benefit, Lance Lundgrin, schemes to overthrow the geek-gone-super geek. Through the relentless and hilarious pain inflicted on him, Ed learns how to believe in himself and make self sacrifices for the greater good. Collecting the four-issue miniseries.
MATRIX MINI-BUST: NIOBE
On sale May 19, 6 3/4" tall, fully painted mini-bust . . . $45.00
Gentle Giant Studios has set a new standard for sculpted mini-busts.
They have rocked us with a series of sculptures of characters from The Matrix. One of the best characters to emerge in the final films is Niobe, portrayed by the fabulous Jada Pinkett Smith, who posed for this piece in a three-dimensional computer scanning session with Gentle Giant. Using this data, their artisans refined the structure through traditional sculpting and painting to arrive at something quite special.
Just as her exciting performance redefines the female action heroine, Gentle Giant’s craftsmanship redefines the level of realism for this kind of collectible. The bust will be packaged in deluxe special packaging, and will be a numbered, limited-edition. Exact edition size has not been finally determined by Gentle Giant as of press time.
MICHAEL CHABON PRESENTS . . .THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF THE ESCAPIST VOLUME 1 TPB
MICHAEL CHABON (W) , GLEN DAVID GOLD (W), HOWARD CHAYKIN (W/A), BILL SIENKIEWICZ (A), KYLE BAKER (A), JIM STARLIN (W/A), GENE COLAN (A), STEVE LIEBER (A), SCOTT MORSE (A), ERIC WIGHT (A), KEVIN McCARTHY (W), MIKE BARON (W)
On sale April 28, SC, 152pg, FC, 8 1/4" x 5 1/2", $17.95
Master of Elusion, foe of tyranny, and champion of liberation—The Escapist! Operating from a secret headquarters under the boards of the majestic Empire Theater, the Escapist and his crack team of charismatic associates roam the globe, performing amazing feats of magic to aid all those who languish in oppression’s chains. The history of his creators, Joe Kavalier and Sam Clay, was recently chronicled in Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. The best of the Escapist’s adventures are now collected into one volume for all to enjoy!
This thrilling volume of Michael Chabon Presents…The Amazing Adventures of The Escapist collects the first two issues of the comic book and features an original story penned by Michael Chabon, the comics debut of novelist Glen David Gold, a new story written and drawn by Howard Chaykin, the painted artwork of Bill Sienkiewicz, and a wraparound cover by Chris Ware!
OH MY GODDESS! #107: SORA UNCHAINED part 3 (of 8)
KOSUKE FUJISHIMA (W/A)
On sale April 7, b&w, 32pg, (3 of 8), $2.99
The “Sora Unchained” storyline revs into high gear this month, as Belldandy comes to meek Sora’s assistance with some confidence lessons. Sometimes all it takes is a helping hand to swipe one’s fears aside on the road towards success. Shy and clumsy Sora has the brains and the light frame it takes to master cart racing. Now all she needs is the gusto and the self-assurance! Roaring towards a fun, hectic conclusion, Kosuke Fujishima delivers another extended tale filled with complicated relationships, hilarious scenarios, and good-intentioned goddess magic!
OH MY GODDESS! VOLUME 18: THE PHANTOM RACER TPB
KOSUKE FUJISHIMA (W/A)
On sale May 19, SC, 256pg, b&w, 6" x 9", $17.99
Motorcycle mania has gotten the best of Meguimi, Keiichi Morisato’s little sister and college student (and Goddess roommate). Driven to be the best biker around, she decides to test her skill against the Phantom Racer, a ghostly apparition that sometimes appears on a dark stretch of country road. Keiichi and his earthbound-goddess girlfriend, Belldandy, aren’t far behind to keep an eye on her, but Meguimi better watch the road, because racing phantoms could get her killed! Meanwhile, at Keiichi’s technical school, the cybernetic creations of a nutty professor nicknamed “Dr. Moreau” are trouble waiting to happen. Can Keiichi and Belldandy stop the crazed Doctor from unleashing mechanized mayhem on the unsuspecting college campus? Collecting issues #96-104 of the ongoing series.
“A beautifully drawn and genuinely heart-warming series.”
– Manga Max
THE RING VOLUME 2 TPB
by TAKASHI HIROSHI (W) and MEIMU (A)
On sale May 12, SC, 192pg, b&w, 5 1/8” x 7 1/4”, $13.95
The fabulously creepy story of The Ring takes a side step from the plot of the original Japanese film, taking the reader into life after all that tragedy and mystery. And guess what? Sadako, the psychic killer, isn’t so easily disposed of. Beautifully illustrated by the adept Meimu, The Ring Volume 2 takes the reader into the life of Mai Takano, after her beloved Professor Ryuji is killed by Sadako. Adding to the sci-fi element, both Mai and little Yoichi, son of Ryuji and Reiko, have developed psychic powers and are often haunted by the powerful Sadako. This thick volume of material presents sci-fi action and horror reminiscent of Steven Spielberg’s Poltergeist.
FOR MATURE READERS
SERAPHIC FEATHER VOLUME 5: WAR CRIMES TPB
HIROYUKI UTATANE (W/A) and TOSHIYA TAKEDA (W)
On sale May 26, SC, 240pg, b&w, 6" x 9", $17.95
The lure of powerful alien technology discovered on a buried alien starship on the dark side of the moon is the nexus for an international, even interplanetary, game of power, deception, and violence. The key players: Sunao Oumi, a young paranormal unwittingly caught up in the maelstrom; M-ZAK, a beautiful (and lethal) super-agent; Kei Heidemann, Sunao’s back-from-the-dead former love; and Apep Heidemann, Kei’s brother, a mysterious scientist who has harnessed the alien craft’s unimaginable power. M-Zak and Sunao are on the trail of vicious kidnappers who’ve taken Kei hostage. The kidnapping is only part of a plot by the Dystra Corporation to stage a coup and take control of the moon from UN forces, with a final goal to make the moon independent from earth! Collecting stories from Super Manga Blast!issues #35-43.
FOR MATURE READERS
SHI: JU-NEN #1
BILLY TUCCI (W/A)
On sale April 14, FC, 32pg, (1 of 4), $2.99
Dark Horse celebrates Shi’s 10th Anniversary with a new Tucci series!
Ana Ishikawa returns to her native Japan where she desperately tries to avert an all out war between the secretive sects of the Kyoto and Nara Sohei. And with the Narans of the verge of annihilation, the Kyoto Sohei are about to rub it in—with the encouragement of the Yakuza and with potentially disastrous consequences. Once again, Ana in the guise of Death Incarnate, will take up the naginata and don her grandfather’s Kabuki face paint in order to save both cities, even if it means turning to her father’s murderer Masahiro Arashi to do so.
STEVE RUDE’S THE MOTH #1
STEVE RUDE (A) and GARY MARTIN (W/A)
On sale April 21, FC, 32pg, $2.99
WARNING!! Dark Horse takes no responsibility for bodily injuries sustained while reading The Moth #1. The unbridled action spilling from the pages are an understandable consequence of teaming (penciler) Steve Rude, and (writer/ inker) Gary Martin together. So if you get punched in the eye because you’re holding this comic too close, don’t come crying to us! In this issue, The Moth runs smack into the face of trouble, in the form of his archrival, Nestor the bounty hunter. Check out the picture of Nestor, in the dictionary definition of the word scum!
SUPER MANGA BLAST! #42
Featuring Cannon God Exaxxion, Seraphic Feather, What’s Michael?, Club 9 and Shadow Star!
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 April 28, b&w, 128pg, $5.99
In Cannon God Exaxxion, when aliens threaten to enslave the world, Hoichi Kano becomes humanity’s hero as the pilot of the gigantic Exaxxion robot! Dark science fiction drama collides with full-tilt, futuristic thrills in Seraphic Feather. With a revolution stirring on Earth’s moon, Sunao becomes both sidekick and protector for two U.N. investigators. The secrets that these two women hide may save the moon colonists…but will they also lead him to his death? Makoto Kobayashi’s hilarious What’s Michael? features the world’s most conniving cat as he continues to charm and alarm his various companions. In Club 9, country girl “Hello” Hattori has just settled into college life and her new job in the big city, but the affections of several admirers will bring humorous, unwanted complications. Shadow Star, races to a dramatic confrontation, as Shiina continues to cope with incredible new friends and a growing, malicious group of dragon bearers bent on world chaos!
FOR MATURE READERS
TALES OF THE VAMPIRES #5
JOSS WHEDON (W), ALEX SANCHEZ (A), BRETT MATTHEWS (W), SAM LOEB (W), and others
BRIAN HORTON (Cover)
On sale April 14, FC, 32pg, $2.99
Joss Whedon wraps up his Tales of the Vampires series, finally revealing the truth behind the young Watchers’ training program and their introduction to their ancient vampire tutor. Brett Matthews (Spiderman/Wolverine) returns with a story of Buffy’s favorite vampire—Angel.
TONY MILLIONAIRE’S SOCK MONKEY: UNCLE GABBY HC
TONY MILLIONAIRE (W/A)
On sale May 19, HC, 40pg, FC, $14.95
The Sock Monkey returns home from the University where he has become a Master Poet dedicated to the Science of Un-naming Objects. He embarks on a journey of sentimentality as he rediscovers his childhood home. However, things are not as he remembers them, and he is subjected to an avalanche of heart-breaking realization.
TRIGUN MAXIMUM VOL. 1: THE HERO RETURNS TPB
YASUHIRO NIGHTOW (W/A)
On sale May 19, SC, 192pg, b&w, 5 1/8" x 7 1/4", $13.95
The hottest manga on the market enters brand new storytelling territory!
As an anime series, Trigun gained a multitude of fans across the otaku landscape, before gaining a burgeoning mainstream manga audience. Now, Trigun Maximum goes beyond the story available in the anime and the first two top selling manga volumes.
Our hero Vash the Stampede disappeared for two years after blasting a crater onto the moon above the desert planet he saved from annihilation. But with good people and bad alike trying to track him down, he won’t stay lost for long! Count on more crazy gunslinger action, new dastardly villains…and a new outfit, to boot!
FOR MATURE READERS
ULTRAMAN TIGA #9 (of 10)
TONY WONG (W) and KHOO FUK LUNG (A)
UDON (Cover)
On sale April 28, FC, 40pg, (9 of 10), $3.99
It’s all-out war! The alien presence controlling Japan’s military reveals its true identity and makes a stand against the Ultraman called Tiga. As Tiga and the gigantic monstrosity take their fight to the skies, the former members of the Global Unlimited Task Squad are doing all they can to stop the anarchy in the streets below. Just when things can’t seem to get any worse, a new and deadlier enemy emerges; an opponent from Tiga’s long-dead past carry a destructive secret and the power to lay the Ultra-warrior to waste! Continuing the electrifying Hong Kong series.
USAGI YOJIMBO #75
STAN SAKAI
On sale April 28, 24pg, b&w, $2.99
Internationally celebrated creator Stan Sakai concludes the gripping two-part “Hokashi” storyline in his multi-Eisner Award winning adventure series Usagi Yojimbo. After surviving recent life-threatening incidents, wandering ronin Usagi and his young ward Jotaro are joined in their travels by Katsuichi-sensei and his student Shunji. In this brief reprieve, Usagi debates if he can risk keeping the secret of Jotaro’s parentage—the two could soon be parted for years, but does that justify shattering their trust? Usagi had better decide soon, though—they might not live long enough for it to matter!
