Dark Horse Previews Picks: September 2014
Comics based on the “Aliens” movies been one of the cornerstones of Dark Horse’s publishing efforts over the years. More often than not, they’ve also been a very good example of the company’s commitment to raising the standard of quality for licensed comics and treating them as projects to be invested in as opposed to simply being milked until they’re unprofitable. I mention this because there’s a new “Aliens” miniseries being solicited here along with the first of their comics based on the film “Prometheus.” Both sport respectable creative teams with Chris Roberson/Patric Reynolds and Paul Tobin/Juan Ferreyra handling the writing/art, respectively. Personally, I’m hoping that they can make the relatively uninspired plot synopses we get in the solicitation text — colonists dealing with a Xenomorph outbreak, and another team following up on the trail of the Prometheus — worthwhile reads in comics form. (It also serves as another reminder that I need to get around to picking up Tobin/Ferreyra’s “Colder” miniseries at some point.)
There’s also the fact that a crossover is being teased for these comics already. I don’t find that to be particularly inspiring news at this point — better to let them establish themselves as quality products first. I would, however, have advised against the company giving them the same subtitle, “Fire and Stone,” if only to avoid confusion. Just a thought.
The Borgias HC: Do my eyes deceive me? No they do not! This is the title’s THIRD appearance in these solicitations after previously being mentioned back in November and July. Even though the price is still rather exorbitant — $60 for a 216-page oversized hardcover — I have to admit that I’m more tempted than ever to pick up Alejandro Jodorowsky and Milo Manara’s take on one of the Renaissance’s most infamous families. Mainly just to congratulate them for finally getting this thing into print.
Concrete Park: R-E-S-P-E-C-T #1 (of 5): So I called this title out last time for being solicited as coming from a “blockbuster screenwriter,” yet not indicating any of his credits. Well, a month later I realize I could’ve just looked Tony Puryear up on IMDB. It turns out that his blockbuster credit, really his only major credit, is writing the ‘96 Schwarzenegger vehicle “Eraser.” While that would seem to make him a ripe topic for ridicule, I actually remember the film being a fun, if completely ridiculous, vehicle for the future Governator and one of his better post-”Terminator 2” projects. I guess that’s a reason for qualified optimism, but I think I may wait for the reviews to come in before checking this out.
Grandville: Noel: Now this was a great surprise to see in these solicitations. While I’ve enjoyed the previous three volumes, it wasn’t until the third that things really came together for Bryan Talbot’s series about talking animals in a steampunk Europe. This time we’re promised Detective-Inspector LeBrock on the trail of a cult responsible for a mass murder, Paris in the grip of a ruthless crimelord, and a centuries-old conspiracy to start a world war. Given that Talbot rarely disappoints in any of his projects as a writer/artist and the upward curve in the quality of the previous “Grandville” volumes, I am thoroughly excited about the thought of being able to read this in November!
Grendel vs. The Shadow #1 (of 3): The three issues in this series will each set you back $6 for 48 pages of comics, but if you’re a fan of Grendel Hunter Rose then it’ll likely be a cost you’re willing to bear. There appears to be some fancy shenanigans to facilitate this crossover — we’re told that Hunter is transported back to the 30’s to square off against The Shadow — which is disappointing since Grendel only had to fly over to Gotham City when he wanted to match wits with Batman. Quibbles aside, writer/artist Matt Wagner is working with one of his iconic characters and having him meet up with someone he owes a debt of inspiration to. This should be good, even if it makes you wonder if he’ll ever get around to giving the “Grendel” saga a proper continuation or end.
Mind MGMT vol. 4: The Magician: My copy of vol. 3 arrived last week and the review will be… forthcoming. Much like “Morning Glories,” I’m wondering if this densely plotted title will read better after going through all the volumes again from the beginning. Yeah, that means only three for “Mind MGMT,” but that’s the impression I was left with after reading this volume. Expect the “Re-Reading” podcast (title pending) in the next month or so.
The New York Four: One of DC’s many failed imprints was Minx, which was designed to produce titles that would be of interest to tween girls. The same kind that were buying up manga in droves when the imprint was launched in the mid-00’s. This was one of the titles, from frequent collaborators Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly, which focused on four young women as they begin their college lives. I picked it up and remember liking it, but not enough to get the sequel that was released through Vertigo. Somewhat inevitably, it was called “The New York Five.” Now that Wood is an established writer at Dark Horse, they’re bringing both series together in one full-sized volume. It’s a good value, and I may pick it up eventually.
Satoshi Kon’s OPUS: I thought this wasn’t supposed to be out until next year. That said, this is a rare change from Dark Horse’s usual scheduling changes in manga where titles are either delayed or put on “hiatus.” It’s also one of two works from the late Satoshi Kon that the company will be publishing, and the last one he did before becoming becoming a full-time anime director. The premise is simple enough: A manga creator is sucked into his own work to face the surprise ending he had in store for his characters. Given that Kon had a few years to refine his technique since “Tropic of the Sea,” I’m hoping that this will resemble his unconventional and imaginative films more than that title did.
Veil HC: Greg Rucka and Toni Fejzula’s horror story about a naked woman who wanders out from a subway is collected. Rucka’s involvement gets my attention, and I’m actually thinking about picking this volume up as it is. Given that I’m already paying $20 for five issues of comics in softcover from Marvel, paying the same amount for a creator-owned hardcover should be a much easier choice.
The Victories #15: I haven’t read this superhero series from “Powers’” Mike Oeming and it reaches its final issue here. I’ll have to check it out at some point. Maybe after the final issue of the latest volume of “Powers: Bureau” arrives in August. At least, let’s hope that’s when it arrives.