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.
HELLBOY'S GOT ISSUES
The extended world of B.P.R.D. extends ever onward, exploring the characters both past and present, and here's another chance to get in on it.
Abe Sapien: The Devil Does Not Jest #1
Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, James Harren, Dave Stewart
32 pages – $3.50 – September 28
If the choice between Dave Johnson and Francesco Francavilla doesn't drive you screaming from the comic shop, here's our chance to explore an early tale of the mysterious, and sometimes surly Abe Sapien. We've seen hints of his past, and his discovery in a basement, and now maybe we'll add a little more to the puzzle.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia #1
Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, Tyler Crook, Dave Stewart
32 pages – $3.50 – September 21
Farewell Guy Davis. You will be missed. But on the other hand, this Tyler Crook guy looks like he's got some fine pencil skills. Not only that, but this cover makes me sit down, out of breath, and look up at the sky. Yes, it's that good. Oh, and the B.P.R.D. meet up with their Russian contemporaries! Who's excited?
HOW LONG IS A SEASON AGAIN?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9: Freefall #1
Joss Whedon, Andrew Chambliss Georges Jeanty, Dexter Vines
40 pages – $2.99 – September 14
If I understand it correctly, you could have earned a degree in the time it took for Buffy season 8 to be completed, but it did well enough to start up another chance, and they brought out the big guns to get it started. Joss Whedon is co-writing, and series artist Georges Jeanty is back to keep it all together. Buffy, like X-Men, and all truly good comics, is moving to San Francisco to start this one out. There will likely be slaying as well.
SUPERNATURAL VAMPIRE FREAKOUT!
Criminal Macabre: No Peace for Old Men
Steve Niles, Christopher Mitten, Michelle Madsen
40 pages – $3.99 – September 14
I'm developing a bit of an admiration for Steve Niles. It might have been Mystery Society, but Criminal Macabre focuses on Cal McDonald, Niles' longest running character, and he's back with an army of ghouls, fighting with a vampire named Salem. Good name. Plus, that's a bitchin' car.
NOT DONE WITH HELLBOY YET
Hellboy: House of the Living Dead HC
Mike Mignola, Richard Corben, Dave Stewart
56 pages – $14.99 – November 9
This is verbatim from the solicit, and it is enough to make me read this, however short it may be: "Hellboy lingers in Mexican bars until he’s invited to participate in the ultimate wrestling match with a vicious Frankenstein monster!"
ABOUT TIME! I'M NOT READY!
Fear Agent #31 – Out of Step part 4 (of 5)
Rick Remender, Mike Hawthorne, Tony Moore, John Lucas
32 pages – $3.50 – October 5
It's the pentultimate chapter in Heath Huston's saga, and I have no idea what took so long. But after this, there's only one to go, and I don't know if I want to live in a world without Fear Agent. The other issues, while far in the past, have been pretty strong, and I expect nothing less.
I DON'T KNOW WHO THIS GUY IS, BUT…
The Manara Library Vol. 1 HC
Milo Manara, Hugo Pratt
208 pages – $59.99 – November 9
This is the first of 9 volumes collecting Milo Manara's seminal works. A legend to much of the world, the Italian artist isn't as well known in the States, but we're told by people who know this kind of thing that he's very good. I am intrigued, for sure. With a forward by Frank Miller, this volume collects the entire Indian Summer story, with Hugo Pratt, and The Paper Man. It's definitely worth a look. Maybe it will change your life.
Those are out picks for Dark Horse's September offerings, but for a full list of their other books, look here.
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Some rights reserved.
Season 8 could have used some Morrisson-style story condensation. It was about 2/3 good. Coincidentally, 2/3 of 40 is just about 26, which is the normal number of episodes in a season. Granted, a 22-page comic is not the same as a 44-minute episode, but I still think a 2-year run is the maximum they should try to push a comic “season.”
I’ll be switching to trades on Buffy Season 9.
Well, in addition to the amazing work he’s done in Europe or in the pages of Heavy Metal, some of the iFaboy audience might recognize Manara from the fairly recent X-Women book or X-Girls or whatever it was called.
I’m a little worried about the future of Hellboy once ‘The Fury’ ends. Cause with no one-shots coming out afterwards it makes me think the story is going to end.
@ TNC I think I remember reading where Mignola said we were experiencing the end of the Second Act in a Three Act Hellboy series.
Yeah, I have read/heard the exact same thing about where we are at with Hellboy. We are, at the very least, another trilogy of stories away from being at the end. Even then, an end doesn’t exactly mean that there are no more stories to tell. The best stuff, at the moment, have been these tales that leap back to the 80s and earlier.
56 pages of Corben art in a hardcover for $15? Damn it! Why bitch when I know I must have it right away.
Manara is known for drawing sexy women, like @RedMoses says, he was know for his work in Heavy Metal magazine.
Those Mignola-verse covers are all amazing.
One might say that Manara is mostly known for drawing porn. Then again, that’s a step up from tracing porn… (no, I’m not saying that name)
@TheNextChampion The Abe short may simply be replacing it for the next month or two.
@vadamowens: You might be right, cause I think they did the same thing last time there was an Abe short.
Then again Mignola did say he was going to be back drawing Hellboy interiors in the future. Maybe that’s why there’s a bit of a break.
With no Dark Horse Presents this month, I won’t be getting anything from Dark Horse this month. While I liked Buffy Season 8, I am not going to be reading Season 9. Too many other books I want to get and just don’t have the money.
Dave Stewart’s coloring adds to and compliments the Mignola-verse the tone/feeling as much as the writing and pencils. His drab pallet works great with shadowy underworld and supernatural themes.