Dark Horse Previews Picks: November 2014
The company announced a lot of interesting projects at Comic-Con this year, with the most notable being a sequel to “Fight Club” written by the book’s original author, Chuck Palahniuk, with art from Cameron Stewart. It’s not the first time a book has received a sequel in comic form, but the fact that its creator is returning to write the sequel makes this an extremely rare beast. Matt Kindt and Jeff Lemire also announced new superhero-themed projects at the company: “PastAways” and “The Black Hammer,” respectively. For the former, it further establishes Dark Horse as his home for creator-owned work in the wake of “Mind MGMT,” while this is the latter’s first major project with the company. Given that both creators have pretty much made their names working for DC, the fact that they’re pursuing creator-owned work at Dark Horse has to be seen as a burn to Vertigo. There’s also going to be a “new secret thing” from Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran from the publisher, and Jim Zub will now be co-writing the “Conan/Red Sonja” crossover with Gail simone. Originally, Simone was supposed to be doing it with Brian Wood, but his replacement is likely a knock-on effect from the sexual-harassment controversy the writer found himself embroiled in earlier this year.
Abe Sapien vol. 5: Sacred Places: Well, this is interesting. Not so much for the content, which involves Abe returning to the place where he was shot by Fenix, the psychic, and his latest transformation began. What’s notable about this volume is that it collects issues #12-14, 16 & 17. Issue #15, illustrated by Juan Ferreyra isn’t collected here. That’s a shame because he’s a fantastic artist and I was looking forward to seeing his interpretation of Abe and his world. This continues a trend from the previous volume which omitted issue #8, which was drawn by Mike Oeming. I’m betting that the omission of these issues is down to maintaining artistic consistency between the styles of the Fiumara brothers and keeping the title’s momentum (such as it is) going. Expect a collection with these missing issues to appear after three more have arrived to fill out a paperback.
B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth #125: In which the team undertakes an easy mission to clear out a small town. This is “B.P.R.D.” The only “easy” missions they undertake are the ones we don’t get to see covered in the main series. With a setup like that, I’m expecting lots of self-aware commentary on such an “easy” job in the issue itself. Regardless, the solicitation text lets us know that James Harren is returning to illustrate this issue and that is a reason for excitement given his previous contributions to this series.
Drug & Drop vol. 1: I still remain indifferent to CLAMP’s manga. However, if there are any fans of their series “Legal Drug” out there, then they should know that this is the follow-up to that one. Meanwhile… hey, is that a new volume of “Gantz!?”
Gantz vol. 34: Why yes it is! This series has slowly been turning itself around for a while now and with this volume, it will only be three away from its conclusion. There is a new twist to the Gantz fighters vs. alien invaders storyline in the volume I just read which is continuing to play out here in the solicitation text. I’ll get around to writing my thoughts on that eventually, but now I’m actually starting to feel pretty good about sticking with this title after the awful Osaka arc.
Grindhouse: Drive In, Bleed Out #1 (of 8): So it looks like Alex De Campi’s original miniseries of exploitation-driven comics was successful enough to warrant a follow-up. I’ll have to see about picking up the collections for the first series, hopefully before the next convention season rolls around. This new series kicks off with “Slay Ride,” a “brutal holiday tale of revenge and supernatural terror in the snow” which certainly sounds promising. More encouraging is the fact that R.M. Guera, of “Scalped” fame, is providing the art and the subject matter sounds right up his alley.
King Conan vol. 4: The Conqueror: I’ll be sad when this volume comes out. That’s because it likely represents the last time we’ll see the incredible team of Tim Truman and Tomas Giorello tackling the character. However, I won’t be depressed for long because a story about Conan fighting his way across battle-ravaged countries, bandit-filled seas, and dark tombs to regain his throne cannot foster depression. It breeds excitement! This is what I’ve come to expect from Truman/Giorello’s “Conan” comics.
Resurrectionists #1: This is Fred Van Lente’s new creator-owned title at the company. The idea is that Resurrectionists are people who not only remember their past lives, but are able to become them as well. While what that entails isn’t fully explained, I’m assuming it’s something akin to what they call the “bleeding effect” in “Assassin’s Creed” where people are able to acquire the skills of their ancestors after living through them in the Animus. If we’re dealing with a similar case here, then I’m intrigued. Also, the fact that the main character is looking to be recruited for a 3,000-year-old heist certainly sweetens the pot.