Dark Horse Comics Celebrating 20 Years: 1986 – 2006
Star-studded cast commemorates one hundred issues of comics’ favorite samurai bunny in Usagi Yojimbo #100!
Stan Sakai’s biggest admirers—who also happen to be some of the hottest names in comics—come together to celebrate one hundred issues of Usagi Yojimbo at Dark Horse!
Featuring eight extra story pages for a total of thirty-two, Usagi Yojimbo #100 is structured as a good-natured roast of both Usagi and Stan, kicking off with an opening by publisher Mike Richardson and artist Rick Geary before launching into unforgettable contributions from Frank Miller, Jeff Smith, Sergio Aragonés, Guy Davis, Mark Evanier, Scott Shaw, Jamie S. Rich, and Andi Watson—not to mention Stan Sakai himself!
This extra-special issue is the ultimate introduction to the world of the rabbit ronin and his inimitable creator, a perfect entry point for anyone who ever wondered why the adventures of this long-eared hero have been among the most acclaimed all-ages comics for over two decades!
Usagi Yojimbo #100 features story by Stan Sakai, Sergio Aragones, Guy Davis, Mark Evanier, Frank Miller, Jamie S. Rich, Mike Richardson and Jeff Smith, and art by Stan Sakai, Sergio Aragones, Guy Davis, Rick Geary, Frank Miller, Scott Shaw, Jeff Smith and Andi Watson. It arrives on sale January 31 with a retail price of $3.50.
Darkness falls on Aquilonia in Conan and the Midnight God #1!
Conan has won the throne of Aquilonia and the hand of the beautiful Zenobia. With a kingdom to rule and an heir on the way, will the Cimmerian finally put up his sword for good?
Don’t bet on it.
When his bride and country are attacked by a sinister Stygian sorcerer, Conan strikes back at Stygia with all his might—and the might of Aquilonia—in a move that threatens to throw all Hyboria into chaos!
The long-awaited reunion of Violent Messiahs creators Joshua Dysart and Tone Rodriguez, Conan and the Midnight God #1 opens an exciting new chapter in the adventures of the barbarian king. Violent Messiahs is a follow-up to Dysart and Rodriguez’s story in Funcom’s Age of Conan comic, distributed to 450,000 readers.
Conan and the Midnight God #1 features story by Joshua Dysart, pencils by Tone Rodriguez, colors by Michelle Madsen and cover art by Jason Alexander. The first issue arrives on sale January 3 with a retail price of $2.99.
Discover the stories that defined the genre of Sword & Sorcery through the eyes of legendary comics writer Howard Chaykin and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola!
Since their first appearance in 1939, Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser have ranked among the most beloved characters in fantasy. Their rollicking adventures in the fantastic land of Nehwon have influenced the work of some of the best in modern fantasy, including Michael Moorcock, Terry Pratchett, and countless others.
“The thing that always stood out to me in the Leiber stories was the magic combination of complex, bizarre imagry and dry, cynical humor. Both were perfectly captured in Howard’s scripts. I just tried to hold up my end of things” said Mike Mignola. “I had a great time drawing these stories, trying to visualize Leiber’s world. And I’m usually not to happy with my work, especially my older stuff, but I’m still pretty happy with what I did here. Of all my pre-Hellboy work this is the one book I’m really happy to see back in print.”
Dark Horse Managing Editor Scott Allie commented, “It is really a thrill to bring this thing out. I think this is Mignola’s finest work from that time period, from before he developed the Hellboy style.”He adds, “When we started doing Conan, we were all looking at this, because Mike so thoroughly and authoritatively created a fantasy world. I don’t think you can do better than this book. It’s a perfect synthesis of his storytelling and Howard Chaykin’s. The fact that it was never collected is a crime I’m happy to vindicate.”
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser features story by Howard Chaykin and art by Mike Mignola. It arrives on sale March 14 with a retail price of $19.95
Rod Espinoza’s The Courageous Princess is a fairy tale classic perfect for all-ages!
Once upon a time, a greedy dragon kidnapped a beloved princess . . . but if you think she just waited around for some charming prince to rescue her, you’re in for a surprise!
Princess Mabelrose may not be the fairest of the land, but she has enough brains and bravery to fend for herself in a fantasy world of danger and adventure! From a mighty dragon with an army of trolls, to a tyrant tiger king, Mabelrose meets each challenge with courage and pluck, her bravery winning her the help and friendship of many of the people, creatures, and magical beings she encounters in her quest to find her way home.
“Courageous Princess evokes the work of Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away) and the spirit of the old Disney films” says Dark Horse Senior Editor Randy Stradley. “Princess Mabelrose is a classic heoine in the best sense of the word. She meets every new challenge with determination and compassion, and her pluck and kindness carry her through situations where a strong arm and a good sword would not. Rod Espinosa has created a character and a world that is equally appealing to adults and children.”
The Courageous Princess features story and art by Rod Espinosa. It arrives on sale March 7 with a retail price of $9.95.
Comics’ most loveable little lady in black is finally collected in Emily the Strange, Volume 1!
Emily the Strange is not your ordinary thirteen-year-old girl—she’s got a razor-sharp wit as dark as her jet-black hair, a posse of moody black cats, and famous friends in very odd places! She’s got a broodingly unique way of experiencing the world, and you’re invited along for the ride. Legions of fans worldwide have joined forces to make Emily a pop-culture phenomenon.
This volume collects the first three issues of the Dark Horse Emily comics series— “The Boring Issue,” “The Lost Issue,” and “The Dark Issue” and includes two brand new stories that you’ve never seen before!
Emily the Strange, Volume 1 features story and art by Cosmic Debris. It is available now with a retail price of $19.95.
Dark Horse celebrates the twentieth anniversary of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright with the release of a new edition of Arkwright’s mind-blowing sequel!
In a future alternate-reality Earth one existence in a swirling maelstrom of parallel worlds—a vicious totalitarian British Empire reigns supreme. But in Rome, the dying Pope sets into motion a dark plan to place the throne of Britannica under papal control—by any means necessary. And while such temporal machinations threaten the world’s political and social stability, a monstrous force is building across the multiverse, and a countdown begins to almost certain dimensional apocalypse! Luther Arkwright has saved a universe before, but with an infinity of universes threatened with annihilation, all of Arkwright’s preternatural talents are needed. If only Arkwright weren’t dead…
In celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the original publication of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, Dark Horse is proud to release a new edition of Arkwright’s mind-blowing sequel.
“One of the most infinitely complex and deliciously perverse stories I’ve ever read, and yet something powerfully direct and unflinchingly noble shines through. Most “epic” graphic novels come off looking like a one-panel gag cartoon compared to Heart of Empire.” said Dark Horse Senior Editor Chris Warner.
Heart of Empire: The Legacy of Luther Arkwright 2nd Edition features story and art by Bryan Talbot. It arrives March 2 with a retail price of $27.95.
Considered by many to be the first graphic novel, It Rhymes With Lust returns to print after more than fifty years!
In 1950, writers Arnold Drake and Leslie Waller, both attending college on the G.I. Bill, envisioned a sophisticated, novel-length comic tailored to their peers. Collaborating with comic art master Matt Baker, known for singularly defining the genre of “good girl art” on titles such as Phantom Lady, they crafted a film-noir inspired masterwork of romance, intrigue, and moral relativity. When cynical newspaperman Hal Weber reunites with old flame Rust Masson, he finds the beguiling widow of a mining magnate willing to do anything to undermine the local political machine—her only opponent for total control of Copper City!
This painstakingly restored volume includes a new introduction by writer Arnold Drake providing a first-hand history of the graphic novel. Before winning the Bill Finger Award for lifetime achievement in comics writing, creating Deadman, or writing Doom Patrol and X-Men, Drake helped bring the original “picture novel” to life, a true milestone in the history of comics!
“From the very beginning, I had hoped this book would be a bridge between the comic book community and the literary world. That bridge became more like a main highway. “ said Drake “When I was in the army, everyone read comics. When we all went to college on the G.I. Bill, I thought, how do you make the leap from Superman to The Great Gatsby?”
It Rhymes With Lust features story by Arnold Drake and Leslie Waller, and art by Matt Baker. It arrives February 28 with a retail price of $14.95.
Escaped mad doctors and possessed muscled cars are all in a day’s work for supernatural investigator Cal McDonald in Criminal Macabre: Supernatural Freak Machine
When an old enemy Cal sent to prison escapes, his sights are set on exacting cold revenge on the guy who put him there. Cal knows what he’s up against, and he’s hardly batting an eye. He’s already put this guy away once, and it’s not like prison makes people bitter, right? And besides — things are looking up. He’s even got a new car to brag about — a spiffy 1973 Nova. Too bad the guy who died in the car before Cal bought it has no intention of leaving!
“Fans have been chomping at the bit to get their hands on this long-awaited collection, and I’ve been right there with them” says Dark Horse Editor Shawna Gore. “There isn’t another artist out there who could capture both the monster mayhem and the extreme hilarity of this story like Kelley Jones. I think everyone will agree that this has been well worth the wait!”
Criminal Macabre: Supernatural Freak Machine features story by Steve Niles and art by Kelley Jones and Tim Bradstreet. It arrives on sale April 7 with a retail price $17.95.
Dark Horse kicks off the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars with the deluxe hardcover, limited-edition release of The Freedon Nadd Uprising!
The planet Onderon, almost four thousand years before the Battle of Yavin and the events in A New Hope: Freedon Nadd is dead, but his dark spirit lives on, and it has been used to abduct Jedi Master Arca! Nomi Sunrider and Ulic Qel-Droma lead the mission to free their Master, but not before the evil King Ommin spreads the seeds of Sith evil to a new generation . . .
Out of print for a decade, this deluxe hardcover limited-edition release of The Freedon Nadd Uprising kicks off Dark Horse’s year long celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of Star Wars!
Each month, the Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection series will bring readers a limited-edition hardcover of the best of Dark Horse’s Star Wars graphic novels. Available only through Direct Market retail outlets, each volume’s print run is limited to initial orders and will not be reprinted.
Star Wars: 30th Anniversary Collection Volume 1 — The Freedon Nadd Uprising features story by Tom Veitch, art by Tony Adkins and Denis Rodier, coloring by Suzanne Bourdages and cover art by Dave Dorman. It arrives on sale March 14 with a retail price of $16.95.
Star Wars: Boba Fett—Man with a Mission collects the hard-to-find adventures of the galaxy’s greatest bounty hunter!
It’s safe to say that one of the most revered characters in the Star Wars universe is the man whose profession does not usually come with such praise. The mysterious Boba Fett has engaged Star Wars fans everywhere since he made his first appearance on the silver screen nearly 30 years ago!
Whether it’s taking on an Imperial ship designed to wipe out entire alien species or battling amidst a vicious civil war fueled by both the Rebellion and the Empire, entering an abandoned Star Destroyer seeking a mysterious prize or settling a dispute between an Imperial outpost and the local leadership, there’s no job too deadly for the man in the Mandalorian armor—if the price is right!
Some believe that it was editor Randy Stradley who said: “These days it seems like you can’t swing a cat in the Star Wars galaxy without hitting somebody wearing Mandalorian armor. But Boba Fett was the first, and he’s still the best. The four stories in this collection demonstrate Fett’s unswerving dedication to the jobs for which he’s hired, and should serve as a warning to all of his future employers!”
This collection of rare tales features the writing of Thomas Andrews, Ron Marz, John Ostrander, and John Wagner, with artwork by Cam Kennedy, Adriana Melo, Francisco Ruiz Velasco, and Tsuneo Sanda. It arrives on sale March 14 with a retail price of $12.95.
Akira Club gives the English-speaking world new insight into one of the most universally acclaimed manga works ever created!
Katsuhiro Otomo’s epic manga, Akira, is considered by many to be the finest work of graphic fiction ever created, a work of astonishing power and visionary scope, and possessing of a level of illustration skill unmatched in the annals of the medium. This epic story was for many, the first introduction to anime and manga.
Now available for the first time in an English-language edition, Akira Club is an essential companion to Akira, a dazzling collection of Otomo’s mind-blowing visions, including over one hundred title-page illustrations created for the original serialization but not included with the published collections of Akira.
The book also features rarely seen alternate art, preliminary drawings, production sketches, and a variety of Akira posters, advertisements, and products, all accompanied by fascinating commentary by the artist himself. This essential companion belongs on the bookshelves of every Akira enthusiast, manga fan, or devotee of fantasy and science fiction illustration.
“More than twenty years since its original serialization, Akira, in my view, still sets illustration standards that are as yet unmatched in the field, and Akira Club showcases a huge amount of Otomo’s Akira art that was never collected. Absolutely mind-blowing stuff!” says Dark Horse Senior Editor Chris Warner.
Akira Club features story and art by Katsuhiro Otomo. It arrives on sale March 7 with a retail price of $29.95
Shirow Masamune’s Orion comes to life for the first time in right-to-left Format with all-new bonus features!
In the mighty Yamata Empire, magic and technology are one and the same. Now, the Empire is preparing its ultimate feat of psycho-science: the destruction of all the negative karma in the galaxy! But will this mystical purification be the salvation of humanity—or the trigger of its ultimate destruction? Only one being can save the Empire from its folly: Susano, the God of Destruction. Wild, arrogant, and homicidal, Susano has come to teach the world the true nature of power!
Shirow Masamune, creator of Appleseed, Dominion, Intron Depot, and Ghost in the Shell, has earned a huge worldwide following with his unique, eclectic, and visually stunning blend of science fiction and fantasy. Orion is Shirow at his wildest, and is now for the first time in America published in right-to-left reading format, as originally published in Japan. Plus a variety of great bonus features like an art gallery, Orion glossary, and notes on the text composed by Shirow himself!
Orion 3rd Edition features story and art by Shirow Masamune. It arrives on sale February 14 with a retail price of $17.95.
Manga collides with science fiction in yesterday’s classic, Two Faces of Tomorrow!
Midway through the Twenty-first century, an integrated global computer network manages much of the world’s affairs. A proposed major software upgrade—an artificial intelligence—will give the system an unprecedented degree of independent decision-making power, but serious questions are raised in regard to how much control can safely be given to a non-human intelligence. In order to more fully assess the system, a new space-station habitat—a world in miniature—is developed for deployment of the fully operational system, named Spartacus. This mini-world can then be “attacked” in a series of escalating tests to assess the system’s responses and capabilities. If Spartacus gets out of hand, the system can be shut down and the station destroyed . . . unless Spartacus decides to take matters into its own hands and take the fight to Earth.
Two Faces of Tomorrow features story by James P. Hogan and art by Yukinobu Hoshino. It is available now for a retail price of $19.95.
Dark Horse joins with ReelArt Studios as the exclusive sales agent for this exciting limited edition collection!
GOING APE STATUE
A Jason “Spyda” Adams-sculpted tribute to Neal Adams’s “Savage” art. Continuity Studios just released this piece as a bronze and we are proud to be releasing the full-color edition. Features a signed base by both Neal and Jason Adams.
The Going Ape statue stands 10” tall and is now on sale with a retail price of $175.00
STOUT NUMBER ONE STATUE
William Stout’s Number One depicts a scene out of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s adventure novel, The Monster Men. The art was first used as a cover for an English anthology comic called A-1.
The Stout Number One statue is now on sale with a retail price of $225.00.
STOUT DINOGIRL
ReelArt Studios presents the first piece in William Stout’s Cutie Pies line of collectible statues. This line will represent Stout’s whimiscal side where cute pixie girls and beasts of all species coexist in a land of wonder. Sculpted by Jason “Spyda” Adams,
The DinoGirl statue is on sale now with a retail price of $89.00
THREE STOOGES WALL PLAQUE
Nyuk! Nyuk! Nyuk! Your favorite Knuckleheads are now available as a 3-D wall plaque!
The Three Stooges Wall Plaque is on sale now with a retail price of $135.00.
AC COMICS—BLUE BULLETEER STATUE
ReelArt Studios presents the divine Laura in her disguise as the Blue Bulleteer standing atop a retro-style base. Based on AC Comics’s Femforce character (1940s-60s) and inspired by Brad Gorby’s rendition. The Blue Bulleteer is the masked alter ego of Laura Wright from her WWII beginnings in 1943 into the 1960s before she becomes the sorceress, Nightveil.
The Blue Bulleteer Statue is on sale now with a retail price of $135.00.
ATTACK OF THE BRAIN MONSTER STATUE
ReelArt Studios brings you the lost 1950’s 3D sci-fi movie, Attack of the Brain Monster, as imagined by artist Bret Blevins and realized by sculptor Shawn Nagle. Features include glass helmet on the female.
The Attack of the Brain Monster Statue is on sale now with a retail price of $175.00.
ELVGREN’S SUZANNE STATUE
ReelArt Studios presents a splendid 3D representation of old time pinup art as envisioned by the wonderful Gil Elvgren.
Elvgren’s Suzanne Statue is on sale now with a retail price of $175.00.
The cuddly bear with the big claws, Gloomy Bear, joins the Dark Horse Deluxe family!
Many people are familiar with Gloomy Bear; the cute pink bear with the big bloody claws. What you may not know is that this deceptively cute little bear is owned by Boy Pitty, who loves him with all his heart, despite the abuse.
Designed by Gloomy Bear creator Chack, these shirts are first in a line of striking Gloomy Bear products brought to you by Dark Horse! The women’s style comes on an American Apparel T-shirt in blue or black. The men’s style comes in camouflage or green.
The Gloomy Bear women’s tshirts arrive on sale January 24 with a retail price of $24.99. The Gloomy Bear men’s tshirts arrive on sale January 24 with a retail price of $19.99.
Hellboy’s image continues to be redefined with new products in the Dark Horse Deluxe Hellboy Animated Line!
February will see the release of two amazing limited-edition mini-busts: Hellboy and Abe. This fierce version of Hellboy is unlike any we’ve made before, while our aquatic friend Abe is looking thoughtful as usual.
Hellboy returns to a two dimensional plane with a spectacular stationery set and a journal. Each piece reflects the sketch art of the animation, with the action and moody themes of the cartoons.
Don’t forget to go to hellboyanimated.typepad.com for the Production Diary of the episodes!
Hellboy Animated mini-bust: Hellboy arrives on sale February 14 with a retail price of $39.99.
Hellboy Animated mini-bust: Abe Sapien arrives on sale February 14 with a retail price of $39.99.
Hellboy Animated Stationery Set arrives on sale January 17 with a retail price of $4.99.
Hellboy Animated Journal arrives on sale January 17 with a retail price of $9.99.
Dark Horse Deluxe brings Roald Dahl’s beloved Gremlins to life in the Gremlin with Pipe statue!
One of the publishing events of this or any other year is the re-presentation of a long-lost jewel, Roald Dahl’s Gremlins. Purchased by Disney in the 1940s, and only published once as a book, Dark Horse brought the book back in October and has also been creating new Gremlins stories. Are we excited? You bet!
But wait . . . that’s not all. Dark Horse, working closely with the creative talents at Disney Consumer Products and Gentle Giant Studios, has been crafting an ambitious program of toys, dolls, and other collectibles based on Gremlins.
This month, we offer you the Gremlin with Pipe statue—taken directly from the pages of the Gremlins book! Made of polyresin, this is the first Gremlins statue we have produced, but more will follow. No expense has been spared to create the most animated, detailed, and mischievous interpretation possible!
The Gremlin with Pipe Statue arrives on sale March 15 with a retail price of $44.99.
Dark Horse and DC Direct team up to create new vintage hero statuettes!
In an exciting collaboration, Dark Horse Comics and DC Direct, DC Comics’ action figure and collectible company, are teaming to create a new series of vintage-style statuettes featuring four of DC Comics’ best-known characters. Modeled after products that were popular in the 1930s and 1940s, the four new statuettes being produced by Dark Horse are designed and manufactured consistently with earlier “syroco”style figure.
The Classic DC Character #1: Superman statuette arrives on sale March 7 with a retail price of $49.99.