Dark Horse Previews Picks: November 2023
Above-the-Board Recommendation:
Drifters Omnibus vol. 1
When I saw this omnibus edition in these solicitations, I thought that it was an effort to attract new readers to the series and make it profitable again so that Dark Horse could publish new volumes. I mean, it’s been a hot minute since vol. 6 hit these shores, and the only reason you don’t see new volumes from an ongoing manga series by this publisher is because it’s selling poorly. Right?
Well, just like “Berserk” was and “Black Lagoon” still is, “Drifters” is a series that is published on a very irregular basis. Only it’s not health problems or depression holding its creator back. No, Kohta Hirano’s abysmal work ethic is well known among fandom and that’s the main reason Japanese readers had to wait almost five years for vol. 7 to come out. Which it did back on August 10th. No word on when it’ll hit our shores, but a year from now seems like the safest bet. Assuming that Dark Horse is still committed to releasing this series in single volume form and this three-in-one omnibus format isn’t its new primary format here.
Now that I’ve written all this, why am I putting a series that likely won’t be finished for another decade (at least) in this spot? Well, these first three volumes are quite good as they take the idea of a group of historical figures fighting against each other on the sides of chaos and order and have some real fun with it. Better still is that the forces of order are genuinely invested in building a better life for the people they’re fighting for and it’s cool to see that play out on the page. Best is that this collection will only set you back $30 for the three volumes collected here, which is easily the best value for your money you’ll see in this round of solicitations.
Space Usagi: Death & Honor #1: It’s been a minute (read: over a decade) since we last got a proper miniseries featuring the far-future version of “Usagi Yojimbo.” Creator Stan Sakai has previously said that he likes doing this series because it gives him a chance to draw stuff that would normally be out of bounds for the main title’s feudal Japan setting. While the plot isn’t anything special, General Usagi has to keep his lord’s heir safe from a murderous plot, there are a couple new things to note here. The first is, like all current “Usagi” tales, that this series is now in color for the first time. Second is that this will be the first “Space Usagi” series not drawn by Sakai – art for this series is being handled by Emi Fuji. Third is that it looks like this miniseries is going to run you $5 an issue. That last part is less of a problem compared to the rampant inflation going on over at Marvel as “Usagi” has always been Sakai’s thing and I don’t mind giving the man more of my money. Especially as I get the feeling that there will be fewer opportunities to do so in coming years. The man isn’t getting any younger, you know…
Quick Stops vol. 2 #1: Kevin Smith’s anthology of stories set in his View Askewniverse returns for a second go-round. I’m happy for him that the first series did well enough to warrant this follow-up, but I’m not going to pay $25 for a 104-page hardcover to find out if they were any good. That said, vol. 2 holds the line a $3.99 an issue as this first one gives us a most unexpected origin story. Unless you’ve been hoping to find out what the story is behind Mooby’s golden calf. In which case this issue is for you!
Mortal Terror #1: Coming to us from Mignolaverse veteran Christopher Golden, sci-fi novelist Tim Lebbon, and artist Peter Bergting is this series with a twist on the Dracula mythos. We’re told that vampires Jonathan Harker, Lucy Westenra, and Mina Murray live under London with a vampire society. In this world, mortal humans are only a rumor, but they’re a terrible one as we’re told they seek to restore humanity to vampires… before killing them. As the three of them aren’t believed by the vampire authorities, they work in secret to keep their world safe. I don’t think this sounds bad, exactly, but the bit about humans turning vampires human just to kill them strikes me as a bit overcomplicated. Maybe there’s a good explanation behind it and Golden and Lebbon are saving it for the issue itself. We shall see.
Count Crowley: Mediocre Midnight Monster Hunter #1 (of 4): Writer David Dastmalchian and artist Lukas Ketner’s series about a late-night monster movie host turned monster hunter returns for a third go-round. I still haven’t checked out either of the preceding miniseries, but I’m becoming increasingly convinced that I should do so. Your title doesn’t get a third miniseries at Dark Horse unless you’re doing something right. This time out, the title character deals with the depression brought on by the death of her werewolf friend. She could use a distraction and two of them present themselves here: The return of her predecessor and the revelation that a ghoulish child-snatcher is on the loose in her city.
Barnstormers: A Ballad of Love and Murder: The latest series from Scott Snyder and ComiXology to hit print features art from the very talented Tula Lotay. As the title implies, this is about pilots in the early days of flight who travel from town-to-town performing incredible, death-defying stunts. Hawk Baron is one such pilot and his life changes when he meets Tillie, a woman who shares his passion for aviation. As they form a traveling act together, tragedy strikes when they’re suspected of murder and have to go on the run to clear their names. My faith in Snyder’s ability to deliver a quality story has taken some hits recently, but the fact that “Barnstormers” is the first series I’ve seen from him with no horror or supernatural elements does make me a bit curious. Not curious enough to get over the $25 price point for this title, however. It’s possible I’ll come back to this (and a few other titles from the publisher) when there’s an appropriate digital sale on their app.
Beyond Mortal: Eldritch Lovecraftian horror collides with superhero action as elder gods awaken to reclaim their dominance over the world. Standing in their way are the world’s superheroes, ready to give everything to save the day. This comes to us from writer Cullen Bunn and artist Danny Luckert who previously gave us the pretty decent horror title “Regression” a few years back. Bunn can be hit-or-miss for me, but Luckert was a standout on that previous title. Elder gods and superheroes together seem like a weird mix, but I’d like to see what the artist does with them.
Empowered vol. 12 & The Legend of Luther Arkwright HC: There have been a couple titles in this round of solicitations with the “resolicited” tag applied to them. I’m only bringing these two up because they’ve both graced the “Above-the-Board Recommendation” section of these Penguin Picks before. Now they’re both set to be released in January, so let’s hope that they make their street dates this time around.
Mob Psycho 100 vol. 13: The battle with Claw is over. What’s Mob going to do with his life now? Probably deal with the giant stalk of broccoli growing out of the city’s rubble that’s attracting people who want a piece of the psychic power emanating from its root. That seems like a safe bet. As is resuming school and trying to lead a normal life where he finally catches the eye of the lovely Tsubomi. That would be great, assuming that the cult stalking him for several volumes now decides that’s okay. Which they probably won’t because cults are terrible like that.