Racists are right about at least one thing (how’s that for a controversial opening statement): Other cultures are weird. The part that they miss out on is that weird can still be incredibly fascinating and cool. 47 Ronin is a story that doesn’t entirely make sense to Western sensibilities and yet exposes the underlying humanity that transcends culture. And if you aren’t interested in that, it’s got them samurai swords. Lots of ‘em.
Tag Archives: mike richardson
Major Spoilers Podcast #465: 47 Ronin #1 – DUELING REVIEW
In this issue: This week, Stephen and Matthew take a look at 47 Ronin #1 from Dark Horse Comics.
Among the best-known tales in Japanese history, the legend of the 47 Ronin and their epic mission to avenge their disgraced master epitomizes the samurai code of honor. It has been said, “To know the story of the 47 Ronin is to know Japan.” Retold through the ages, the legend at last comes to comics in a meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated miniseries from Mike Richardson, Stan Sakai, and editorial consultant Kazuo Koike! Recounting this sweeping tale of honor and violence in all its grandeur, chapter one details the tragic incident that would seal the fate of Lord Asano and set forty-seven of his vassals on a years-long path of vengeance!
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SNEAK PEEK: 47 Ronin
Dark Horse Comics seems really excited about the upcoming 47 Ronin by Stan Sakai and Mike Richardson. The first issue doesn’t arrive until November 07, 2012, but we have a sneak peek, just for you, after the jump.
SOLICITATIONS: Richardson and Sakai team for 47 Ronin
Press Release
Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce a historical comic adaptation of the tale of the 47 ronin: A story of loyalty, sacrifice, persistence, and honor.
REVIEW: Dark Horse Presents #1
After a prolonged absence from the print medium, Dark Horse Presents returns. But will this return, with such creators as Paul Chadwick, Richard Corben, and Neal Adams, be a boon? Or a burden? Take the jump faithful Spoilerite to find out.
Archie and Dark Horse Comics team for Archive Editions
Press Release
Archie Andrews, America’s typical teenager was presented for the first time in PEP COMICS #22 in December 1941. Since then, Archie and his friends have entertained eight generations of readers. The opportunity has now arrived for both old and new Archie fans to experience Archie’s fun-filled journey to become the world’s most popular teen. Archie Comics is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Dark Horse Comics as Archie and the kids from Riverdale will be joining the Dark Horse line of classic comic reprints.
The Archie Archives will consist of hardcover volumes, in Dark Horse’s archive format, featuring Archie Comics mainstay characters of “Archieâ€, “Bettyâ€, “Jugheadâ€, “Veronica†and the other characters in the Riverdale Universe. Each individual title will begin with the earliest published issue and move forward in chronological order. Each volume will be approximately 200-250 pages, feature embossed printing, a dust-jacket and carry both Archie Comics and Dark Horse names and logos. The initial plan is to release three volumes of each individual title per calendar year, with each volume retailing for $49.95. According to Dark Horse publisher Mike Richardson, the series will run indefinitely.
Archie Comics co-CEO Jon Goldwater stated, “We have seen the quality and care Dark Horse has put in to restoring and collecting material for their archival series, and we are looking forward to making our early MLJ library of classic material available to a new generation of kids and collectors.â€
Official news on that Gold Key/Dark Horse deal
Press Release
In a packed panel on Saturday morning during Comic Con, Dark Horse president, Mike Richardson called a surprise guest to announce Dark Horse’s plans to develop new comics and graphic novels for the Gold Key Comics’ superheroes. Fans were shocked to see Jim Shooter enter the room; the man recently named the “Steve Jobs of Comics†by Comic Book Bin.
Shooter is perhaps best known for his nine year tenure at Marvel Comics, beginning in 1982, with highlights including Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s run on the Uncanny X-Men, and Frank Miller’s run on Daredevil. Also under Shooter’s editorial reign, Walt Simonsen revamped The Mighty Thor and made it again a bestseller. Following his successful run at Marvel, Shooter launched the well-received Valiant comics imprint in the early 90s, bringing many of Marvel’s creators with him.
Now, Jim Shooter comes to Dark Horse as head writer for the re-launch of the Gold Key Comics characters: Turok, Son of Stone®, Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom, Magnus, Robot Fighter, and Mighty Samson, with further characters and new comic writers to be announced shortly.
Dark Horse characters step up to the plate
Press Release
It’s no secret that Dark Horse loves comics, but perhaps lesser known is the fact that Dark Horse loves baseball, too!
In celebration of the summer season and America’s greatest pastime, Dark Horse Comics and Challenge Online Games have teamed up to create the greatest sports franchise ever. In a move that will have agents talking for weeks, Baseball Boss will now feature Dark Horse players, including Concrete, Hellboy, Abe Sapien (B.P.R.D.), X, Rumor and Kraken (The Umbrella Academy), the Mask, Conan, King Kull, Cal McDonald (Criminal Macabre), SpyBoy, Ghost, the Goon, Grendel Prime, the Occultist, Go Boy 7, and Heath Huston (Fear Agent).
Dark Horse and Adult Swim announce Metalocalypse comic
Press Release
Following the release of the highly anticipated Dethklok vs. The Goon, Dark Horse Comics and Adult Swim announce a brand-new comics series based on the immensely popular animated show Metalocalypse. The band’s five members—Nathan Explosion, William “Murderface,†Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Toki Wartooth, and Pickles—will be featured in a full publishing program created by series co-creator Brendon Small and a collaborative team of Metalocalypse and Dark Horse artists and writers.
Who’s the Biggest Comic Book Fan? Dark Horse and G4 Want to Know
Press Release
Beginning today, G4 and Dark Horse Comics are kicking off a search for the ultimate Comic-Con fan who will receive the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to appear in G4’s special coverage of the year’s most buzzed about convention. One lucky winner will be selected as a “Special Correspondent†to G4 and join “Attack of the Show†hosts Olivia Munn and Kevin Pereira, as well as Comic Book Expert Blair Butler on the show floor. Dark Horse, one of the largest comic book publishers, with titles like Hellboy, Star Wars, Umbrella Academy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Alien will also welcome the winner as their “official guest,†granting access to their special event and more. To enter, fans are encouraged to create a video that demonstrates their pop culture knowledge and on-camera abilities, and submit to g4tv.com/comiccon. The “Con-Test†kicked off Friday, May 15, 2009, and closes at 11:59PM on June 22, 2009.
Terminator Goes Mobile
Press Release
Dark Horse Comics makes the leap into the digital world of mobile content with the launch of a new app for the iPhone. With the release of the upcoming Terminator Salvation film in mind, Dark Horse has chosen a classic The Terminator story from its vast publishing archives to launch this program.
Dark Horse turned down multiple offers from various media developers, and instead opted to develop an application in-house. The result is a reading experience that Dark Horse feels best utilizes the mobile platform and delivers the same standard of quality fans have come to expect from the industry leader.
Dark Horse Joins Diamond FOC Program
Press Release
APRIL 13, MILWAUKIE, OR–Dark Horse officially announces participation in the Diamond “Final Order Cutoff†program, or “FOC†for short. Dark Horse first announced the intent to participate in this program at last fall’s Diamond Retailers summit in Las Vegas, Navada to a roar of applause heard throughout the casino.
Dark Horse’s final FOC dates will be tied to the calendar day twenty days before the Diamond on-sale date for comics, and approximately three months for graphic novels. Dark Horse will begin including FOC dates for some of our line as early as the May 2009 edition of Diamond’s Previews catalog.
“We are pleased to announce this move to the FOC,†Dark Horse President, Mike Richardson stated. “As every comics retailer knows, times are tough. It is important that Dark Horse not only support them with great product, but with our best efforts to make their ordering decisions as easy as possible. This system will help every retailer who orders Dark Horse product and should lead to better business for all of us.”
Dark Horse hopes that participation in the program will help to further instill confidence in the publisher’s consistently strong lineup of releases and continued commitment to the direct sales market in an ever-changing economy.
Dark Horse’s FOC program will begin on Monday, April 20.