Heads Up: Dark Horse Previews – July 2011

Being a comic fan can be tough. With so many publishers printing more and more books, canceling titles and starting new ones, it can be daunting when you head to the comic book shop on a Wednesday to know exactly what's coming out.

The current system of presenting and ordering comics three months ahead of their release as set forth by the sole comics distributor, Diamond Comics, doesn't make it any easier either. We're not a fan of that system, we think it's slowly strangling comics to death, but we realize it's a harsh reality of how the industry works and we definitely don't want you to miss out on any of the cool comics being published.

And so, as opposed to regurgitating the list of comics solicited in Previews each month, we present to you some of the highlights of things you probably won't want to miss out on.

SPOILER WARNING – in order to get people to order comics, the publishers have a funny habit of revealing what's happening in the books. If you don't want anything at all to be spoiled, then you'll probably want to skip this post and take your chances with your pre-orders and/or your shopping.

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Comics in the Form of Issues:
 

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth – Monsters on Earth #1 – $3.50 – July 13

This is the debut of Tyler Crook, replacing longtime artist Guy Davis. Normally, this would be a source of much sadness, but have you seen Petrograd? Also, it will be nice to see Guy Davis get to stretch his wings a bit. Plus, it's a book called "Monsters". If they're going to go with something that basic, for this title, they'll have to step up their came. I expect great things. Among those great things is a choice of covers between Ryan Sook and Francesco Francavilla. Bueno!
 

Conan the Barbarian: The Mask of Acheron – $6.99 – July 20

Are you excited about a new Conan movie? This 64 page one shot is tied right in, with veteran writer Stuart Moore, with art by Gabriel Guzman and Jason Gorder. It's a new take on the Conan world, and the solicit promises an epic final battle. I can smell the fires and unwashed barbarians already.
 

Criminal Macabre/The Goon: When Freaks Collide – $3.99 – July 20

Steve Niles brings his creation, Criminal Macabre together with Eric Powell's Goon, and you get this. It's a crossover for the fans, but ALSO a jumping on point for both series. More than that, it's got art from Christopher Mitten (Wasteland) and covers by Powell or Fiona Staples. So you know, Criminal Macabre is about a drugged out paranormal PI and the Goon is a big dude who fights monsters. How will this make sense? Does it need to? Onward!

 

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Books Your Shelves Crave Deeply:
 

B.P.R.D. Plague of Frogs Vol. 2 Hardcover – $34.99 – September 7

I've got the first one, and they're giving the royal hardcover treatment to B.P.R.D. and I'm all about that stuff. Collecting The Dead, The Black Flame, and War on Frogs, the book continues the tale of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense sans Hellboy, assisted by the talents of Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, Guy Davis, John Severin, and Dave Stewart. Go get the first one, then get this one. Better comics you will not find.
 

  

Creepy Presents Bernie Wrightson Hardcover – $19.99 – September 14 

 Bernie Wrightson often gets labeled as a "horror legend" and here's where you're find out why. Collecting his work from the seminal comics Creepy and Eerie, this volume belongs in your collection if you're at all interested in horror comics and comics history. There are also plenty of others helping Bernie out in this volume, like Howard Chaykin, Bruce Jones, and Carmine Infantino, among others.
 

Green River Killer: A True Detective Story – $24.99 – September 28

This 240 page hardcover does something that not nearly enough comics cover, and that is tell the story of true crime. Written by the son of the man who finally caught the Green River Killer, a monster responsible for at least 48 murders, this book could really be fascinating, and fill that "Torso-itch". Not literally the torso, mind you, but the book that Brian Bendis did a long time… oh forget it.
 

 

The Complete Major Bummer Super Slacktacular – $29.99 – October 5 

I'd heard about this for years, but never really got a chance to see what it was. Now I know, and here's your chance to pick up and check out all 15 classic issues, that have been out of print for a very long time. From John Arcudi, and artist Doug Mahnke, this is the story of Lewis Martin, a superpowered, but not super-motivated individual. Sure, there's peace and justice, but he's not really so into it.

Want more? Check out the complete list of comics solicited by Dark Horse Comics for July 2011.