Comic Nation

Preview of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1

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In this sweeping adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s fan-favorite “Queen of the Black Coast,” Conan turns his back on the civilized world and takes to the high seas alongside the pirate queen Bêlit, setting the stage for an epic of romance, terror, and swashbuckling. This is Conan as you’ve never seen him, with the combination of one of Robert E. Howard’s greatest tales and the most dynamic creative team in comics!

* A perfect jumping-on point for new readers!

*A bold, fresh take on the Cimmerian.

* “Queen of the Black Coast” is the most-requested Conanadaptation!

DARK HORSE PRESENTS: JOHN ARCUDI’S THE CREEP!

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With another incredible addition to the increasingly impressive lineup, Dark Horse Comics will publish John Arcudi’s three-part suicide mystery, The Creep, beginning in Dark Horse Presents #11!

In the summer of 1987, a young teenage boy commits suicide. The boy’s mother is unsatisfied with the police’s lack of interest in the motivation behind it, or what connection it might have to the suicide of the boy’s former best friend. She remembers that she heard an old college boyfriend of hers, Oxel, is a private detective. What she doesn’t know is Oxel suffers from a debilitating condition called acromegaly. Will the contact from his old flame be all that Oxel needs to take the case?

“Murder mysteries are common in suspense fiction, but you don’t hear much about suicide mysteries. Oxel starts to wonder if maybe he was hired to help this woman solve the riddle of her life more than that of her son’s death. But then, in the end, it turns out that this really is a suicide mystery, after all. And add to all that the additional layer of this ex-girlfriend knowing nothing about Oxel’s disfiguring illness, since she hasn’t seen him in 20 years,” Arcudi says. “And after seeing Jonathan’s Dear Creature, it struck me that he was perfect for The Creep and we were lucky to get him.”

“I’m very pleased to be working with Dark Horse again and a comics vet like John. We’re just getting into the swing of things, but I already have a lot of interesting material to draw. Since I’ll be coloring The Creep, it’s also a good chance to stretch myself artistically (most of my comics have been straight black and white). The fact that I get to do that in service of a good writer is icing on the cake.” – Jonathan Case

Dark Horse Presents #11 is on sale April 18th, 2012!

THE RETURN OF NEXUS! COMING TO DARK HORSE PRESENTS #12!

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Dark Horse Comics announces the return of Nexus in Dark Horse Presents #12.

The fan-favorite title returns with its team of creators, Mike Baron (The Badger) and Steve Rude (The Moth), in their respective positions of writer and artist! Baron and Rude created Nexus in 1981 and have been continuing their canonical tale for thirty years. The Eisner Award winners will craft a brand-new three-part story for readers eager to quench their thirst for what’s next to come in the Nexusverse.

“The new stories crush anvils,” says Mike Baron.

“Nexus has never been a stranger to different publishers. Last seen under the Rude Dude banner in 2009, Nexus has stayed in limbo, never quite knowing when to return, or if he ever would return. Things come together in strange ways. With the backing of Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Comics, Nexus will return to comics,” Steve Rude said. “We especially look forward to the response of Nexus’s devoted fans, and thank them for the wonderful support and encouragement they’ve given us since the book’s debut in 1981!”

Dark Horse Presents #12 is on sale May 2012.

ALL-NEW TRANSFORMERS SERIES DEBUTING IN JANUARY “Two Titles, One Universe”

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Two Series to follow shattering TRANSFORMERS: THE DEATH OF OPTIMUS PRIME issue in December” ”

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TRANSFORMERS and comics fans everywhere have two new ongoing TRANSFORMERS comics series–TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE andTRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE. Under license from Hasbro, the two interrelated series are a direct continuation of IDW’s CHAOS event and spring directly out of the special TRANSFORMERS: THE DEATH OF OPTIMUS PRIME issue releasing in comic stores and online on December 21st. Both series will appeal to existing TRANSFORMERS fans and new readers. Featuring two great stories under one TRANSFORMERS comic universe, each series offers never-before-seen action, new threats and new villains that both current readers and those new to the series will enjoy.

“The response to the TRANSFORMERS ongoing series has been phenomenal,” says IDW senior editor John Barber. “This relaunch is a chance to jump onboard for anybody who might have been missing out. We’ve got big stories planned, and there’s never been a better time to read TRANSFORMERS.”

Created as a stepping on point for both fans of super-heroic and science fiction comics, as well as fans of the TRANSFORMERS characters, TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE and TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE each explore the new status quo coming out of IDW’s CHAOS event including BUMBLEBEE’s new leadership position for all TRANSFORMERS. The war between AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON is over, and now the hard part begins. In the new world of CYBERTRON, there are only two choices: stay or go

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Helmed by writer James Roberts with art and covers by Nick Roche, RODIMUS calls on his fellow AUTOBOTS to leave CYBERTRON in search of the KNIGHTS OF CYBERTRON in TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE. This lost tribe of TRANSFORMERS characters is, according to legend, the guardian of the original Cybertronian culture and RODIMUS and his followers begin a quest that will stretch to the farthest reaches of the galaxy to find the KNIGHTS and restore CYBERTRON to its past glory.

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Review:Dark Matter from Dark Horse comics

Rob 2 Comments

By Chuck Suffel

Writer: Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie Artist: Garry Brown (@GarryBoom) Colorist: Ryan Hill Cover Artist: Garry Brown

From the Dark Horse site: “A derelict ship floats in space, its troubled crew awakened from stasis with no memories of who they are or how they got on board. Their search for answers triggers the vessel’s deadly security system: a relentless android bent on their destruction. Facing threats at every turn, they have to work together to survive a voyage charged with vengeance, redemption, betrayals, and hidden secrets best left unknown.”

What else do you need to know! Buy the book when it comes out! Pre-order it.

What? Oh you want to know more oh okay…

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When I looked this one over I was expecting a horror science fiction book with emphasis on the horror, very dark and gruesome. The theme lends itself easily to that idea. A derelict ship, the crew with no memories, I though it was going to turn into a slasher film. But it didn’t, this is a well written science fiction mystery. It makes sense that it would be since Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie are well known as the writer/producer team from the Stargate franchise. That being said at first glance it seemed like it was going to be formulaic but on second read through I was pleasantly surprised, issue one has a solid plot which set up a ton of questions. If Mallozzi and Mullie answer half of them it’ll be a fun ride.

The art work is dark without being overly broody and Garry Brown’s pencils (last seen in X-Men: To Serve and Protect story titled “Shells” as well as a 10 page story in last years Batman 80 page Giant) are a great fit for a sci-fi story. Ryan Hill’s colors (most recently seen in House of Night #’s 1 & 2) are deep and mysterious.

The storytelling isn’t what I would call suspenseful but there was a lot of story to get into this issue in order to get he reader hooked. I think this book accomplishes that and a little more. It reminded this
reader that I love a good mystery, even in space.

Publication Date: January 11, 2012 Format: FC, 32 pages Price: $3.50 UPC:7 61568 18060 2 00111

–Come see me @ http://charlessuffel.com

DARK HORSE COLLECTS CHANNEL ZERO!

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THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION OF BRIAN WOOD’S FIRST SERIES!

Out of print and unavailable to readers for more than three years, Dark Horse Comics is giving new life to a critically acclaimed classic with the complete collection of Brian Wood’s Channel Zero!

DMZ and The Massive creator Brian Wood launched an all-out assault on the comics medium in 1997 with Channel Zero, an influential, forward-thinking series that combined art, politics, and graphic design in a unique way. Hitting on themes of freedom of expression, hacking, cutting-edge media manipulation, and police surveillance, it remains as relevant today as it did back then.

The Channel Zero collection contains the original series; the prequel graphic novel, Jennie One (illustrated by Becky Cloonan); the best of the two Public Domain design books; and almost fifteen years of extras, rarities, short stories, and unused art. Also featuring the now-classic Warren Ellis introduction and an all-new cover by Wood, this is the must-have edition. A blistering take on media control in a repressive future America!

“Channel Zero is literally the start of my comics career, the first proper comic I ever made, and as such as informed everything that’s come after it, especially DMZ and the upcoming THE MASSIVE.” Tells Brian Wood. “It also put me and Becky Cloonan together, helping build a creative partnership that has lasted a decade. This edition here is the definitive one, including everything worth printing, including a color section that includes the original covers to the single issues.”

Praise for Brian Wood & Channel Zero:

“Wood’s message is clear enough: apathy is the real enemy, and it is harder to fight than any totalitarian government.”—Wired

“It’s about anger as a positive force of creation…Someone’s remembered what comics are for. Meet Brian Wood.”—Warren Ellis, award-winning writer of Planetary

“Dramatic Black and White visuals…Controlled sense of rhythm.” —I.D. magazine

“Your handbook for the media revolution.”—Eyeball magazine

“Strangely prescient… lucid and sharp” – Matt Fraction

“A seemingly endless barrage of powerful art” – Newtype USA

“Fascinating… this is a paranoid future Grant Morrison could not conceive of” – Comics International

The Channel Zero Collection is on sale May 30 th , 2012!

FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA UNLEASHES THE BLACK BEETLE!

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Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce a new three-part story by New York Times best-selling artist for Batman, and current Captain America artist, Francesco Francavilla: The Black Beetle!

The Black Beetle is centered on a pulp-noir character and takes place in a fictional universe that’s based in Colt City. Francavilla published several stories online and even put out an ashcan. When the ashcan sold out, Francesco quickly realized that many fans were interested in exploring this world with him. It was only a matter of time before Dark Horse approached him about bringing some Black Beetle tales to Dark Horse Presents!

“I’m working on a 24-page story, titled ‘Night Shift’ that will be spread over three issues of Dark Horse Presents. I am hugely influenced by pulp stories of the ‘30s and ‘40s, and wanted to develop a series that used that influence as a jumping-off point to explore some modern storytelling with fun twists. I think this will be a great introduction to readers who are new to this character and universe, but will also be an exciting new adventure for those who’ve been reading the online stories over the years,” Francesco states.

“As a huge fan of pulp and noir, working on my own characters and stories really gives me free reign to explore this world and create lots of fun scenarios and thrilling situations. The stories are definitely full of mystery and intrigue, plus I get to give The Black Beetle lots of cool and funky gadgets. ‘Night Shift’ promises to be full of action, excitement, danger, and double-crosses, so I am overjoyed to see this new tale in print, and hope this is the first of many more to come in Dark Horse Presents.”

For more on Francesco Francavilla’s art, check out his official website, www.francescofrancavilla.com, and his pulp blog, http://pulpsunday.blogspot.com.

Dark Horse Presents #11 is on sale April 18 th , 2012!

Review- The Immortal

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By Chuck Suffel

Demon in the Blood #1

Writer: Ian Edginton, Penciller: Vicenç Villagrasa Inker: José Luis Río Colorist: José Luis Río, Dan Jackson Cover Artist: Long Vo

“This book is due out 12-21-2011, so please be aware some of the things mentioned here could constitute spoilers! I have done my best to avoid mentioning anything specific that wasn’t in the solicits.”

Japan 1859, the rule of the shogun is fading and along with it the samurai. The ancient culture slowly eroded by the encroaching world, the wonders of the Steam Age challenging the ancient magic of the past. But Amane Ichinose, a samurai, will soon find out the ancient magics are still strong and his life will be forever changed by them. Branded a traitor and left for dead his life is saved by a tattoo artist and the immortal “oni” Amane is now linked to. What life will this ex-samurai now apprentice tattoo artist have, what price will the gift of life he’s received cost?

This was a very basic issue one, we meet the cast of characters follow the setup and are left to ponder the inevitable “what’s next”. The story is well told, the art is really good with characters that are well thought out and easily recognizable from one panel/page to the next. I was especially impressed with the depictions of the “oni”. I’m not a huge fan of Japanese stories per-say but this one has my interest. If you’re a completion-ist then by all means pick this up but I have a funny feeling issue 2 will have a decent recap and hopefully give us a clue as to where are protagonist will head on his new path.

Adapted from the Japanese novel URA-ENMA by Fumi Nakamura.

Publication Date: December 21, 2011 Format: FC, 32 pages Price: $3.50 UPC: 7 61568 19207 0 00111

Come see me @ http://charlessuffel.com