Archaia sent Major Spoilers the cover images and solicitations for titles arriving in August 2010. Take the jump for the latest releases, as well as a hint of what is to come in the very popular Mouse Guard.
LUCID #1 (of 4)
Retail Price: $3.95
Page Count: 24 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Written by Michael McMillian
Illustrated by Anna Wieszczyk
Cover by Anna Wieszczyk
Welcome to the world of Lucid, the highly anticipated, action-packed, pop-fantasy, four-issue miniseries that draws inspiration from the spy genre, Arthurian legend and 21st-century folklore! Dark forces are conspiring to prevent humankind from reaching its true potential. Thankfully, as newly appointed “Protector of the Realm,” Agent Matthew Dee uses his skills as a covert spy and Combat Mage to ensure America’s freedom from the grip of evil.
In this issue: Who is Waylan Gheely, and what forbidden power has he stolen? What ancient evil, banished two millennia ago by Merlin himself, threatens to consume our dimension? What presence lurks in the shadows behind it all? And just who is The Secretary of Secrets? Find out in Lucid #1!
Written by “True Blood” actor Michael McMillian and illustrated by newcomer Anna Wieszczyk, Lucid is Archaia’s first title published in association with Zachary Quinto (“Heroes,” “Star Trek”) and his production company, Before the Door Pictures.
T +13 (Contains material suitable for teen readers age 13 and above)
CRITICAL MILLENNIUM #3 (of 4)
Retail Price: $3.95
Page Count: 40 pages
Format: saddle bound, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Written by Andrew E. C. Gaska
Illustrated by Daniel Dussault
Cover by Daniel Dussault
One will die! Coney, Eryc, Pandita and Angel Rei return to Earth amidst a media circus! In the aftermath of the flooding of the Ghost Sector of New Bombay, the world debates over what to do with the survivors—no one wants them. With the completed Black Star Drive Vessel transported via cargo carrier to Earth, and political tensions over its impending launch running high, young John Adams find himself entrenched deep within the new Ghost Army. The leader—a man known only as the Wraith—initiates a series of terrorist attacks designed to kill the would-be-astronauts and destroy their ship in a bid to stop the mission to the stars!
Mature Readers (Contains Adult Content)
MOUSE GUARD: LEGENDS OF THE GUARD #4 (of 4)
Retail Price: $3.50
Page Count: 24 pages
Format: saddle bound, 8” x 8”, full color
Written by Karl Kerschl, Craig Rousseau, Mark Smylie and David Petersen
Illustrated by Karl Kerschl, Craig Rousseau, Mark Smylie and David Petersen
Cover by David Petersen
Located in the western mouse city of Barkstone, The June Alley Inn is hosting a rousing storytelling competition, and the winner’s bar tab will be paid in full! Hear a tale of mad King Avidar, a cruel and cunning leader…and the brave mice who dare oppose him! Legends of the Guard is a limited anthology series (with always the chance for more) with artists and storytellers handpicked by creator David Petersen. Featured in this issue are tales by Karl Kerschl (Teen Titans: Year One), Craig Rousseau (Impulse), Mark Smylie and David Petersen.
All Ages
THE SECRET HISTORY BOOK THIRTEEN
Retail Price: $5.95
Page Count: 48 pages
Format: perfect bound, 6.875” x 10.25”, full color
Written by Jean-Pierre Pécau
Illustrated by Igor Kordey
Colors by Leonard O’Grady
Cover by Manchu & Olivier Vatine
Götterdämmerung. 1943: SS officers in the service of William of Lecce try to recover the Ark of the Covenant. Despite the opposition of the Mafia, they manage the feat, but too late: Fate begins to play its final hand, and the war appears lost for the Axis Powers. In desperation, William plays his last card trying to derail the Normandy landings, and takes refuge in Japan…
Mature Readers (series contains Nudity, Graphic Violence, and Adult Content)
FRAGGLE ROCK VOL. 1 Collected Edition Hardcover
Retail Price: $19.95
Page Count: 136 pages
Format: hardcover with dust jacket, 8” x 8”, full color
Written by Adrianne Ambrose, Nichol Ashworth, Jeffrey Brown, Bryce Coleman, Katie Cook, Leigh Dragoon, Sam Humphries, Neil Kleid, Grace Randolph and Heather White
Illustrated by Jeffrey Brown, Katie Cook, Michael DiMotta, Joanna Estep, Whitney Leith, Jeremy Love, Jake Myler, Fernando Pinto and Jeff Stokely
This collects the spectacular first three issues of Archaia and The Jim Henson Company’s Fraggle Rock comic series, featuring work by a talented mix of newcomers and indie superstars! Includes all the activity pages contained in the single issues and, as a bonus, Fraggle Rock content from the Free Comic Book Day issue is included, plus a preview of Skrumps, an all-new Henson property created by John Chandler!
All Ages
SYNDROME Original Graphic Novel Hardcover
Retail Price: $19.95
Page Count: 104 pages
Format: hardcover with dust jacket, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Ship Date: August 2010
ISBN: 1-932386-99-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-932386-99-8
Country: U.S.
Created by Blake Leibel
Written by Daniel Quantz and R.J. Ryan
Illustrated by David Marquez
Photo cover by Michael Dahan
When a rogue neuropathologist makes a startling breakthrough—literally isolating the root of all evil in the recesses of the human brain—he’ll stop at nothing to advance his theory. With the help of a naïve Hollywood actress, a tormented motion picture director and a condemned serial killer, Dr. Wolfe Brunswick launches a bold experiment in the Nevada desert, the outcome of which could transform humanity forever.
“The Truman Show” meets “Se7en” in Syndrome, an inventive, original graphic novel hardcover that serves as one of the first titles to be featured under Archaia’s new Black Label line. Published in association with Fantasy Prone.
Mature Readers (Series contains adult content, nudity, adult language and graphic violence)
TITANIUM RAIN VOL. 2 Original Graphic Novel Hardcover
Retail Price: $19.95
Page Count: 196 pages
Format: hardcover with dust jacket, 6.625” x 10.25”, full color
Ship Date: August 2010
ISBN: 1-932386-93-9
ISBN-13: 978-1-932386-93-6
Country: U.S.
Written by Josh Finney
Illustrated by Josh Finney and Kat Rocha
The Sino Conflict heats up as the Jade Army continues its relentless advance across China. The Union is desperate, the Allies can barely hold their ground and looming on the horizon is the specter of all-out nuclear war. Caught in the middle of this maelstrom are the men and women of Phoenix Squadron, a group of US Air Force fighter pilots who have sacrificed some of their humanity for the advantages of cybernetic enhancement. In this second installment of the Titanium Rain trilogy, the war gets bloodier, the stakes get higher and secrets are revealed about the true nature of the Prometheus Initiative. Like the war itself, will Prometheus lead mankind ever closer to ultimate destruction? Or is it the dawning of a new age?
Mature Readers (Contains Graphic Violence and Adult Content)
