FRANCAVILLA’S THE BLACK BEETLE RETURNS TO DELIVER AWARDWORTHY PULP ACTION!

August 28, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Comics is thrilled to announce a new creator-owned series from Francesco Francavilla, the 2012 Eisner Award winner for Best Cover Artist!

Francavilla’s critically acclaimed The Black Beetle returns in December with The Black Beetle #0, which will collect the three-part story entitled Night Shift that originally appeared in the pages of the Eisner Award–winning Dark Horse Presents. The issue will feature a brand-new cover, twenty-four story pages, and bonus sketch material and art! 

January brings The Black Beetle: No Way Out, a four-issue story that marks the first full series for Francavilla’s Black Beetle, continuing from the self-published, limited-edition ashcan comic of the same name—the first appearance of this exciting new pulp hero!

In Night Shift, an ancient artifact known as the Hollow Lizard—a powerful totem of dark magic—shows up at the Colt City Natural History Museum. Hitler sends his fearsome Werwolf Korps to collect the piece in hopes it will help him unlock the secrets of ancient Egypt’s Black Priests. Unfortunately for the führer, Colt City’s protector, the Black Beetle, is on the case!

In No Way Out, Black Beetle’s investigation of two local mob bosses is interrupted when a mysterious explosion murders them and a pub full of gangsters—taking out most of Colt City’s organized crime in one fell swoop. Who could pull off such a coup, and what damage might that murderous bomber inflict upon Colt City and Black Beetle? 

Francavilla’s The Black Beetle series will also showcase a letter page so fans have the chance to have their thoughts, comments, and compliments answered by the creator himself! E-mail blackbeetle[at]darkhorse[dot]com for a chance to see your letter in The Black Beetle: No Way Out!  

“Francavilla delivers the pulp noir that suits his style perfectly.”—Comic Book Resources 

Look for The Black Beetle #0 on comic store shelves everywhere on December 19, 2012!

About Dark Horse

Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, including The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton’s Tragic Toys for Girls and Boys, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

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Writer: Evan Dorkin

Artist: Jill Thompson

Cover Artist: Jill Thompson

Genre: Horror, Action/Adventure

Publication Date: August 01, 2012

Format: FC, 32 pages

Price: $3.50

UPC: 7 61568 18921 6 00111

If you’re an avid reader of Dark Horse Presents series, then the Beast of Burden three-parter should look familiar.  It follows a group of dogs and cats who just happen to be paranormal investigators, sounds interesting and utterly ridiculous right?

It is completely fun. The dogs and cats team up and chase a goblin with mixed results, they recant the story of a Basilisk battle, and get to the bottom of a herd of mysterious sheep.

Evan Dorkin gives the animals plenty of depth in a short space, and Jill Thompson provides some gorgeous artwork to accompany the captive story.  If you haven’t been following Beast of Burden this is the perfect opportunity to start.

As an added bonus of the one shot, there's a preview of Eric Powell and Kyle Hotz's Billy the Kid’s Old-Timey Oddities and the Orm of Loch Ness. That series looks pretty amazing as well, and as an exclusive picking up this one shot is the only way to get it early!

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#SDCC: DARK HORSE TO PUBLISH CRIMINAL MACABRE: FINAL NIGHT—THE 30 DAYS OF NIGHT CROSSOVER!

July 3, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse and IDW team up on this once-in-a-lifetime crossover between the critically acclaimed Criminal Macabre and 30 Days of Night!

Steve Niles’s greatest characters come together in a final showdown, with a thrilling script by Steve Niles and artwork by Christopher Mitten.

Cal McDonald only wanted a beer, but what he got was a jaded federal agent and a story about vampires up in Barrow, Alaska. There’s a new vamp in LA, and he’s hell bent on escalating his attacks. When Mo’Lock’s sometimes ghoul-friend is murdered, Cal’s on the hunt . . . for Eben—the longtime protagonist/antagonist of 30 Days of Night.

Praise for Steve Niles:

“Not only is Niles’ dialogue and pacing the best it has ever been, but Mitten’s art is absolutely paradisiacal by being horrific, high-brow, or low-brow whenever the situation demands it. This is a collaboration seemingly blessed by the comic book gods.”—Comics Bulletin

“Fans of the horror genre really can’t go wrong with [30 Days of Night].”—About.com

For additional information check out the exclusive interview with Steve Niles on Comic Book Resources!

Criminal Macabre: Final Night—The 30 Days of Night Crossover #1 (of 4) is on sale December 12, 2012!

About Dark Horse

Founded in1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, including The Mask,Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton’s Tragic Toys for Girls and Boys, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

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ARVID NELSON’S REX MUNDI SLAYS DARK HORSE PRESENTS, GETS OMNIBIZED!

 May 31, MILWAUKIE, OR—Arvid Nelson’s critically acclaimed Rex Mundi gets collected in two omnibus volumes and returns in the Eisner-nominated anthology Dark Horse Presents #15, with a new tale of murder, mystery, heresy, and the occult!

Paris, 1933. Europe is still in the grip of feudalism, sorcerers stalk the streets at night, and secret societies vie for power. When a medieval scroll disappears from a Paris church, Dr. Julien Saunière begins uncovering a series of horrific ritual murders connected to the Catholic Church. His investigation turns into a one-man quest to uncover the deepest secrets of Christianity, a trail of conspiracy that extends all the way to the walls of Jerusalem during the First Crusade. Rex Mundi is the tale of a quest for the Holy Grail told as a murder mystery, set in a world where magic is real and the Catholic Church never lost its grip on power.

“I’m thrilled Dark Horse is making Rex Mundi available in an omnibus format—it’s the way it was always meant to be read! The story in Dark Horse Presents is the perfect introduction for new readers, and I think old-timers will get a kick out of it, too. We open things up with the Holy Inquisition in Paris, the day before the main story line begins,” stated Arvid Nelson.

Rex Mundi Omnibus Volume 1 (of 2) is set to collect Rex Mundi Volumes 1–3 and will feature the complete Brother Matthew short story!

Dark Horse Presents #15 is on comic stands August 22, 2012.

Rex Mundi Omnibus Volume 1 is on sale September 5, 2012.

About Dark Horse

Founded in1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton’s Tragic Toys for Girls and Boys, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

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RIVEN SENDS A SHIVER THROUGH

 DARK HORSE PRESENTS!

APRIL 25, MILWAUKIE, OR—Riven, the latest tale set to debut in Dark Horse Comics’ legendary anthology Dark Horse Presents, marks a new beginning for horror fans! 

Dark Horse Comics recently announced the Riven graphic novel, the third collaboration between cowriters Bo Hampton (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) and Robert Tinnell (The Wicked West), which is slated to hit stores August 22.  Riven’s three-part story beginning in Dark Horse Presents #14 will serve as a chilling introduction to their world of terror.

“Dark Horse Presents is bringing together such a great mix of talent and stories at the moment that it’s honestly an honor to be included in the book. From all the chatter Dark Horse Presents has been generating it’s clear the book is appealing to discerning, articulate readers—and those are precisely the sorts of people we hope are attracted to Riven,” said Robert Tinnell. 

Riven’s Katya has been in a coma for five years, and when she awakes, everything has changed. Now she is a gorgeous teenager with a mysterious, gruesome past, becoming aware of a growing, terrifying power inside her body, triggered by the touch of the full moon, eager to break free . . . Can Katya solve the mystery of her blood-drenched nightmares before they become reality?

“It was a great spawning ground in its original incarnation and I’m really happy to be part of Dark Horse Presents now. I’m looking forward to seeing the Riven pages in that format,” Bo Hampton added.

Check out Riven in Dark Horse Presents #14, on sale July 18!

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists.  In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

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MIKE OEMING’S WILD ROVER RIPS THROUGH DARK HORSE PRESENTS!

APRIL 11, MILWAUKIE, OR—The latest apologue to debut in Dark Horse Comics’ legendary anthology brings out the darker side: Michael Avon Oeming’s Wild Rover! 

Wild Rover premieres in Dark Horse Presents #14 (a 104-page giant issue!). The two-part tale provides a very intense and interesting look through the comic medium at addiction and dealing with alcoholism.

“I’ve been a fan of Dark Horse Presents since I was a kid—it’s where I learned about artists like Moebius and my first exposure to creator owned works, which exploded later with the Legend line,” said Oeming. 

“I’m proud to launch the first of my ‘true-fiction’ stories with Wild Rover in Dark Horse Presents. Though told through fantasy, much of it is based on my experiences or those that my mother has gone through. I could only trust Dark Horse Presents with such things.”

Oeming received the Eisner Award for Best New Series in 2001 for his work on Powers. He also received the Eagle Award in 2006 for Favorite Writer/Artist. In addition to Wild Rover, Dark Horse has announced Oeming will be writing and drawing a very adult superhero adventure series, The Victories, to be released later this year.  

Check out Wild Rover in Dark Horse Presents #14, on sale July 18!

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists.  In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

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DARK HORSE EISNER NOMINEES ANNOUNCED!

April 5, MILWAUKIE, OR–Comic-Con International has announced the nominations for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards 2012! 

 Dark Horse Comics has 11 nominations, including two each for the anthology Dark Horse Presents, Jeff Jensen’s Green River Killer, and Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo.

 The nominees, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of judges, reflect the wide range of material being published in comics and graphic novel form today, from nursery rhymes and World War II battles to high school angst and pulp fiction.

 Named for acclaimed comics creator Will Eisner, the awards are in their twenty-fourth year of highlighting the best publications and creators in comics and graphic novels.

EISNER AWARD NOMINEES 2012

Best Short Story

“The Speaker,” by Brandon Graham, in Dark Horse Presents #7

Best Continuing Series

Usagi Yojimbo, by Stan Sakai

Best Anthology

Dark Horse Presents, edited by Mike Richardson

Best Humor Publication

The Art of Doug Sneyd: A Collection of Playboy Cartoons

Chimichanga, by Eric Powell

Milk & Cheese: Dairy Products Gone Bad, by Evan Dorkin

Best Reality-Based Work 

Green River Killer: A True Detective Story, by Jeff Jensen and Jonathan Case

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

The Manara Library, vol. 1: Indian Summer and Other Stories, by Milo Manara with Hugo Pratt

Best Writer

Jeff Jensen, Green River Killer: A True Detective Story

Best Lettering

Tom Orzechowski, Manara Library, with L. Lois Buhalis

Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo

Ballots with this year’s nominees will be going out in mid-April to comics creators, editors, publishers, and retailers. A downloadable PDF of the ballot is available online, and a special website has been set up for online voting: www.eisnervote.com. The results in all categories will be announced in a gala awards ceremony on the evening of Friday, July 13, at Comic-Con International.

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists.  In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

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THE SABERTOOTH VAMPIRE SINKS HIS TEETH INTO DARK HORSE PRESENTS!

March 7, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Comics announces the latest character to be added to its flagship anthology, Dark Horse Presents: the Sabertooth Vampire!

Penned by Mike Russell (SabertoothVampire.com), The Sabertooth Vampire is a webcomic about a tiny vampire hampered by his giant fangs. Will he pull his teeth out of the ground long enough to actually bite someone? Probably not.

“One of the first books that got me into comics in the nineties was the original black-and-white Dark Horse Presents—back when it was serializing stuff like Sin City and The One Trick Rip-Off and Hellboy: The Wolves of Saint August,” said Russell. “So as you can imagine, getting to submit a few strips for DHP was a huge moment for me personally as well as professionally.”

Russell has collected The Sabertooth Vampire in two self-published minicomics: the 28-page Beware the Sabre-Toothed Vampire and the 56-page Sabertooth Vampire Unleashed. The strips frequently contradict themselves as Russell dives into the Sabertooth Vampire’s personal life—his awkward teenage years, his stints as King Arthur and a caveman, his solo dance parties, his run-ins with Abbott and Costello and assorted angry mobs, and his awkward trip around the world after someone mistakes him for a garden gnome.

“Porting my webcomic over to DHP was an awesome experience for three very specific reasons,” said Russell. “One, I got to add color to the strip, with the help of ace cartoonist/colorist/brother-in-arms Bill Mudron. Two, I received some first-class professional editing from Scott Allie and Daniel Chabon. And three, I swung for the fences and asked if I could draw a crossover strip where the Sabertooth Vampire fought one particular world-famous Dark Horse character, and to my delighted surprise, that character’s creator said yes.”

 Said Russell, “The Sabertooth Vampire is basically a ‘Road Runner’ riff on a single tragic idea: The dental feature that defines him as a vampire keeps him from being an effective vampire. Also he turns into a really pathetic bat.”

Look for The Sabertooth Vampire in Dark Horse Presents #12 and #14, on sale May 23 and July 18, 2012!

  

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

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Screenwriter Tony Puryear Creates Concrete Park, Edgy Graphic Novel, for Dark Horse Comics

New sci-fi epic, written and drawn by Hollywood multitasker, appears in legendary anthology magazine Dark Horse Presents

Los Angeles, CA, February 8, 2012—Tony Puryear wrote the 1996 Arnold Schwarzenegger smash Eraser, becoming the first African American screenwriter to pen a $100 million summer blockbuster. He has written action and sci-fi scripts for a who’s who of Hollywood A listers, from Will Smith to Mel Gibson to Jerry Bruckheimer, and adapted storied sci-fi properties like Fahrenheit 451 and Buck Rogers for the big screen. Now he brings that Hollywood horsepower to the world of graphic novels. 

Concrete Park, Tony Puryear’s first comics project, appears in Dark Horse Presents #8 from Dark Horse Comics, the premier independent comics publisher. “Concrete Park is a sprawling epic,” Puryear says. “It’s the sci-fi story I’ve been waiting to tell. It’s a perfect fit with Dark Horse Presents, the legendary anthology comic that served as a launch pad for innovative work by the biggest names in comics, including Frank Miller (Sin City,300) and Mike Mignola (Hellboy). I’m honored to be in the company of these amazing world builders, and happy Mike Richardson of Dark Horse believes Concrete Park belongs with them.”

Richardson says, simply, “I love this strip.” 

Concrete Park is a dark and provocative near-future story. It takes place in a turbulent mega-city on a distant desert planet (think Cairo or Rio in space). Young human exiles from Earth must fight to make a new world there. They are “young, violent and ten billion miles from home.” In its ambitious scope, it resembles nothing so much as George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, but with favelas and aliens, cops and cyborgs, ghettos and gangs, instead of castles and armies. 

Concrete Park was cocreated by Puryear and his wife, actress Erika Alexander (Living Single, Déjà Vu), and her brother, writer Robert Alexander. Puryear handles the writing and art chores on the book, and in a refreshing twist for someone known as a writer, it’s his art that has drawn the most initial acclaim. Read About Comics said, “[Puryear’s] art . . . instantly grabbed my attention. His thick, heavy inks are striking, forming his characters with a great deal of confidence and force. Through his art, you instantly get a feel for this near-future [city]; the swagger of his characters and their surroundings just bursts off of the page” (http://www.readaboutcomics.com/2012/01/02/dark-horse-presents-7/).

About Tony Puryear

Tony Puryear is the first African American screenwriter to write a $100 million summer movie blockbuster. His 1996 hit Eraser catapulted him into a career writing pictures for A listers Jerry Bruckheimer (Buck Rogers), Will Smith, and Oliver Stone. Puryear’s adaptation of the Ray Bradbury classic Fahrenheit 451 for Oscar-winning director Mel Gibson has circulated in Hollywood for years as a legendary unproduced script. His latest script is Lady Scarface for the new RKO Pictures.

A talented artist and designer, Puryear was recently honored when his official campaign poster for Hillary Clinton’s historic 2008 presidential run was added to the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery.

 He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actress and Concrete Park cocreator Erika Alexander.

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

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DARK HORSE COMICS’ OWN RESIDENT ALIEN!

THE DOCTOR IS IN!

February 1, MILWAUKIE, OR—Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse bring their epic Dark Horse Presents tale of an alien hero named Harry to a fully fledged series beginning with Resident Alien #0!

“I blame Steve Parkhouse. Having collaborated with him long ago on a couple of stories for The Dreaming, I was keen to do so again—and anyone who’s ever seen Steve’s work (on The Bojeffries Saga or The Milkman Murders, to name but two) already knows the reason why: he’s stunningly good,” stated Hogan. “We introduced our friendly alien to the world in the pages of Dark Horse Presents last year, and those installments have now been collected into Resident Alien #0. Over the next few months, you’ll learn a bit more about Harry and his supporting cast and watch as he attempts to catch a murderer—and that’s just for starters. This alien is here to stay.”

A stranded alien seeks refuge in the small town of Patience, USA, where he hides undercover as a semiretired doctor, masking his appearance using his unique mental abilities. Now known as Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle, all the alien wants is to be left alone until he’s rescued. However, when the town’s realdoctor dies, “Dr. Harry” is pulled into medical service—and also finds himself smack dab in the middle of a murder mystery! He’d rather be fishing. Acclaimed creators Peter Hogan (2000 AD, Tom Strong) and Steve Parkhouse (Doctor Who) deliver a truly unique sci-fi adventure tale!

Resident Alien #0 is on sale April 18, 2012.

Resident Alien #1 is on sale May 23, 2012.

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

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STEVE NILES AND MENTON3 DEBUT

THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED NOSFERATU WARS

IN DARK HORSE PRESENTS!

JANUARY 23, MILWAUKIE, OR­—When Steve Niles (Criminal Macabre, 30 Days of Night) premiered artwork from his upcoming collaboration with artist Menton3 (Monocyte, Proof: Endangered, Crawl to Me) via his Twitter feed, speculation and anticipation spread like wildfire across the Internet. Today, Dark Horse is proud to announce that this new vampiric tale will premiere in Dark Horse Presents!

The Black Plague was a time of death and misery . . . except for the undead. For vampires, the Black Death was a welcome relief from being hunted and a time of incredible growth for the undead. On the night of their wedding, two vampire lovers are torn apart and separated for five hundred years, setting off a sequence of events that will bring the modern world to its knees!

“I haven’t been this excited about working on something in a long time. Menton3 is the perfect artist and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be doing this at Dark Horse,” Niles said. “This year I’m making a big push to become 100 percent creator owned. Nosferatu Wars will be a big part of that, I hope.”

Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith redefined the vampire genre with the groundbreaking comic series 30 Days of Night in 2002. Ten years later, Niles is poised to make history again, as he and Menton3 blow the sparkle off of the undead in Nosferatu Wars, premiering in Dark Horse Presents later this year!

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RICH JOHNSTON CHARGED WITH MANY MURDERS!

DARK HORSE PRESENTS #8 HAS DETAILS!

January 11, MILWAUKIE, OR—From the mind of the infamous editor of Bleeding Cool, Rich Johnston, comes a three-part tale of gruesome gossip: The Many Murders of Miss Cranbourne, set to premiere in Dark Horse Presents #8!

Have you ever wondered how amateur detectives keep stumbling over dead bodies? Miss Cranbourne doesn’t. Because she kills them. Then finds someone else to pin the blame on.

In“The Vicar Slash’d from Side to Side,” Miss Cranbourne is at odds with the local man of God, and so introduces him to his maker. But in a 1940s English village held together by gossip and sharp looks, how will Miss Cranbourne ensure people look in the direction she’d prefer? And what happens when a man from Scotland Yard arrives to take over the case? This is Dexter meets Miss Marple.

“Some people wonder how comic book deals are done. Dark Horse publishing The Many Murders of Miss Cranbourne was a handshake deal made while standing in line at Ralph’s during San Diego

Comic-Con. I recommend it to anyone,” states Rich Johnston.

The artist behind the story is Simon Rohrmüller, whose previous one-shot with Johnston, Watchmensch, received critical acclaim.

“Working on The Many Murders of Miss Cranbourne was loads of fun, as aside from the interesting concept, it reunited me with Rich on a project again. Having worked with Rich in the past, and knowing how easy he is to work with, there really was nothing to it; I just jumped straight into it, knowing I’d have a great time,” said Rohrmüller.

Dark Horse Presents #8 is on sale February 1, 2012!

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

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THE RETURN OF NEXUS!

COMING TO DARK HORSE PRESENTS#12!

December 22, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Comics announces the return of Nexusin Dark Horse Presents #12.

The fan-favorite title returns with its team of creators, Mike Baron (The Badger) and Steve Rude (The Moth), in their respective positions of writer and artist! Baron and Rude created Nexus in 1981 and have been continuing their canonical tale for thirty years. The Eisner Award winners will craft a brand-new three-part story for readers eager to quench their thirst for what’s next to come in the Nexusverse.

“The new stories crush anvils,” says Mike Baron.

“Nexus has never been a stranger to different publishers. Last seen under the Rude Dude banner in 2009, Nexus has stayed in limbo, never quite knowing when to return, or if he ever would return.

Things come together in strange ways. With the backing of Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Comics, Nexus will return to comics,” Steve Rude said. “We especially look forward to the response of Nexus’s devoted fans, and thank them for the wonderful support and encouragement they’ve given us since the book’s debut in 1981!”

Dark Horse Presents #12 is on sale May 2012.

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

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As a reminder: ALL REVIEWS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Publication Date: December 28, 2011

Format: FC 32 pages

Price: $3.99

UPC: 7 61568 18938 4 00111

This one shot is actually a collection of four shorts that were featured on the Myspace Dark Horse. It doesn’t serve at all as an introduction to Brody’s strange world of ghosts, and only has the slightest mentioning of the “Penny Murderer” which is much of the focus in the regular series. 

The Midnight Train: Brody’s Ghosts are trying to give him lessons, and although he’s learning them, even when he does good, he doesn’t do good enough.

The Scene of the Crime: Brody tries to enhance his vision skills by revisiting a crime scene, but he’s mistaken for the killer instead.

The Test: Long deprived of all of his senses, Brody can no longer take it, and he demands his freedom. One of his ghost shows him the worth of the exercises with his test and a valuable lesson is learned.

The Big Game: Brody tries to have a normal day, but one of his ghosts forces him to do otherwise.

Brody’s humor flutters just under the surface here, and really this one-shot is for those already familiar with the series. If you're unfamiliar with the series check out Brody's Ghost Book 1 from Thirteen-time Eisner nominee Mark Crilley, and you definitely won't regret it.

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FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA UNLEASHES

THE BLACK BEETLE!

COMING TO DARK HORSE PRESENTS #11!

December 15, MILWAUKIE, OR– Adding an exciting new layer to Dark Horse Presents, Dark Horse Comics is proud to announce a new three-part story by New York Times best-selling artist for Batman, and currentCaptain America artist, Francesco Francavilla: The Black Beetle!

The Black Beetle is centered on a pulp-noir character and takes place in a fictional universe that’s based in Colt City. Francavilla published several stories online and even put out an ashcan. When the ashcan sold out, Francesco quickly realized that many fans were interested in exploring this world with him. It was only a matter of time before Dark Horse approached him about bringing some Black Beetle tales to Dark Horse Presents!

“I’m working on a 24-page story, titled ‘Night Shift’ that will be spread over three issues of Dark Horse Presents. I am hugely influenced by pulp stories of the ‘30s and ‘40s, and wanted to develop a series that used that influence as a jumping-off point to explore some modern storytelling with fun twists. I think this will be a great introduction to readers who are new to this character and universe, but will also be an exciting new adventure for those who’ve been reading the online stories over the years,” Francesco states.

“As a huge fan of pulp and noir, working on my own characters and stories really gives me free reign to explore this world and create lots of fun scenarios and thrilling situations. The stories are definitely full of mystery and intrigue, plus I get to give The Black Beetlelots of cool and funky gadgets. ‘Night Shift’ promises to be full of action, excitement, danger, and double-crosses, so I am overjoyed to see this new tale in print, and hope this is the first of many more to come in Dark Horse Presents.”

For more on Francesco Francavilla’s art, check out his official website, www.francescofrancavilla.com, and his pulp blog, http://pulpsunday.blogspot.com.

Dark Horse Presents #11 is on sale April 18^th, 2012!

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

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DARK HORSE PRESENTS:

JOHN ARCUDI’S THE CREEP!

December 12, MILWAUKIE, OR – With another incredible addition to the increasingly impressive lineup, Dark Horse Comics will publish John Arcudi’s three-part suicide mystery, The Creep, beginning in Dark Horse Presents #11!

In the summer of 1987, a young teenage boy commits suicide. The boy’s mother is unsatisfied with the police’s lack of interest in the motivation behind it, or what connection it might have to the suicide of the boy’s former best friend. She remembers that she heard an old college boyfriend of hers, Oxel, is a private detective. What she doesn’t know is Oxel suffers from a debilitating condition called acromegaly. Will the contact from his old flame be all that Oxel needs to take the case?

“Murder mysteries are common in suspense fiction, but you don’t hear much about suicide mysteries. Oxel starts to wonder if maybe he was hired to help this woman solve the riddle of her life more than that of her son’s death. But then, in the end, it turns out that this really is a suicide mystery, after all. And add to all that the additional layer of this ex-girlfriend knowing nothing about Oxel’s disfiguring illness, since she hasn't seen him in 20 years,” Arcudi says. “And after seeing Jonathan’s Dear Creature,it struck me that he was perfect for The Creep and we were lucky to get him.”

“I’m very pleased to be working with Dark Horse again and a comics vet like John. We’re just getting into the swing of things, but I already have a lot of interesting material to draw. Since I’ll be coloring The Creep, it’s also a good chance to stretch myself artistically (most of my comics have been straight black and white). The fact that I get to do that in service of a good writer is icing on the cake.” – Jonathan Case

Dark Horse Presents #11is on sale April 18^th, 2012!

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity, and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

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As a reminder: ALL REVIEWS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Publication Date: November 23, 2011
Format: FC, 80 pages
Price: $7.99
UPC: 7 61568 17843 2 00611

Dark Horse Presents is back with issue #6. These anthologies are great for an introduction into the varied offerings of Dark Horse, with the wide assortment of stories, there’s always something for everyone.

This month kicks off with Resident Alien Chapter 3. In the ongoing saga of the visitor trying to blend in and hide out, all the while assisting the police in their high profile investigation. Good thing it’s a small town, otherwise this might lead to disaster, or it might anyways. There’s been a string of murders and the very people who are suppose to be preventing them, may just know more than they’re letting on. The entire town is full of secrets and the Alien is enjoying himself a little too much discovering them, taking too many risks that could spell disaster.

Finder: Third World Chapter 6 In true Ghostbusters style the Finder gets his jobs done. Sent with the  process server, the job seems easy enough, but nothing is ever really simple in his world. This storyline always throws me off since I never know what to expect, and this one is no exception.

The Adventures of Dog Mendonça and Pizzaboy Chapter 3 Always a highlight of the set, opens with Dog sitting poolside, with Pizzaboy and the little girl demon reading last month’s issue. I adore the tongue in cheekiness of Dog. But he turns serious as he continues his saga of his flight with the circus freaks. Finally free they face a tough road to what they hope is salvation, many don’t make it, close friends are lost, and Dog finishes his story. Let’s hope they tell Pizzaboy’s or Pazuul the demon in a little girl’s body next. She doesn't talk, but I'm sure Dog can find a way to make it work.

Beast of Burden: Story Time- The Dogs recant the story of the pack, a group of elite dogs and humans who fought together for the king during the dark ages focusing on two members Alric and Bitan. The story is used to teach the young ones a lesson, or is it?

Change: This is Fabio Moon’s first offering for Dark Horse Presents. The guy takes a chance, and changes his life. It’s quick, it’s cute, it speaks directly to the reader in and actual and roundabout way. The short story makes for a very nice, for a first impression.

Blood Chapter 5: Plunging your sword through the heart of your minion is one way to get your message across, but not exactly effective if you need something done, even if he can get a new body. It’s a bloody inconvience. Neal Adams is a master story crafter and he proves it with every stroke of his pen. Blood fights on, taking as much damage as he’s dishing out, all the while wondering how much more he can take, since he’s already taken more than he ever imagined possible, and as the winds of change roll through Blood hopes to be the one left standing.

Criminal Macabre: Die, Die, My Darling, Chapter 3- Cal McDonald is tired of playing games, but Fate is cruel mistress, and if he wants to keep is unlife he’ll have to continue to play. But before Cal can dash off on his next quest he’s got to shut his smart mouth and learn a ghoulish lesson. When Cal finally comes face to face with his intended killer, its not at all what he expected, and forces him to do a drastic course change, destiny be damned. Steve Niles is a genius, and I adore his writing more and more every time I see his work.

Number 13 Chapter 5- Number 13 doesn’t understand Lorna’s intentions, but the result is the same, and he must figure his way now. As blame flies memories return, and they aren’t happy ones, they aren’t ones he wants to believe even if the proof is before him. This is one series that always leaves me with more questions than answers, that I’m always threatening to quit, but like a bad habit I always find myself at it again.

Marked Man Chapter 6 Some are looking for answers, while some think they’ve finally found theirs. Father and Son are too busy patting themselves on the back to realize they’ve screwed up again, now with all the pieces in motion again, this one gets good winding the story back up.

Skeleton Key: Room Service- Fox spirit Kitsune and school girl Tamsin use their magic key to try to find their way home, but they stumble into the Artemis Hotel who could use some help with a ghost. Kitsune takes the job for donuts, and what they find isn’t at all what they expected. It’s a cute way to close out another excellent issue.

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NATE COSBY’S BUDDY COPS PUNCHES THROUGH DARK HORSE PRESENTS #9! 

November 2, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Comics announces a new story from Nate Cosby that will slap you silly! Dark Horse presents . . . Buddy Cops!

URANUS—A galactic space protector demoted to the NYPD (for drinking). 

TAZER—A reprogrammed 1970s android that follows the exact letter of the law.

They hate each other. They are BUDDY COPS.

This February, Nate Cosby (Pigs, Jim Henson’s The Storyteller), Evan Shaner (Jim Henson’s The Storyteller), and Rus Wooton (The Walking Dead) bring da motherf***in’ ruckus in an all-new story featured in Dark Horse Presents #9!

Monsters! Glowing swords! White boys rapping Wu-Tang lyrics . . . WHAT THE HELL ELSE DO YOU NEED!?!?

Dark Horse Presents #9 is on sale February 22, 2012.

Wanna tweet about it? BAM!

Nate: @NateCosBOOM

Evan: @DocShaner

Rus: @RusWooton

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As a reminder: ALL REVIEWS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Publication Date: October 19, 2011
Format: FC, 80 pages
Price: $7.99
UPC: 7 61568 17843 2 00521

Dark Horse Presents is back with issue #5. Each month I look forward to this anthology, it’s fun, it’s varied, and well, there’s more Criminal Macabre.

Isolation- What happens when we send a robot into space with a gun, a gaudy bible and pornography? All hell breaks loose. Left to his own devices, the robot does what any human in his situation would, looks for ways to pleasure himself, self destruct, and find redemption.  A very good read, and insight into basic human nature.

Rotten Apple Chapter 4- Team work becomes the Rotten Apple group. The Stone is recovered, and the mission is all but over, but the group is taken by surprise when their buyer turns against them. I adore this series. It’s always action packed, and just a little odd.

The Adventures of Dog Mendonça and Pizzaboy Chapter 2- Dog is back, and this time sponsored by Sporty cola. The humor is always fantastic in this series. Dog continues his life story. Hunted  and tortured, the freaks band together. This one always leaves the reader wanting more.

Number 13 Chapter 4- Number thirteen has been found, and he’s the key to destruction in the wrong hands, and perhaps the savior in the right. This story line moves slowly, and while good, needs to pick up pace.

Resident Alien Chapter 2- Doctor Vanderspeigle isn’t what he seems, and when he gets wrangled into assisting the local law with the death of the town’s doctor, he ends up doing far more than he ever planned. So far I’m not impressed with this one, even with the murder there is just too little happening.

Criminal Macabre: Die, Die, My Darling! Chapter 2- Finally what I’ve been waiting for. The freaky baby belly twin continues to spout off prophecy, which Cal isn’t talking seriously, if his snarky remarks are any indication. But that doesn’t mean that the War of Darkness isn’t still coming, or that the signs that are rapidly passing by have any plans of slowing.  Bringing the weird and the action in equal measure is a great formula for storytelling. It certainly works.

Marked Man Chapter 5- Loose ends are being tied up, but they’re done in such a sloppy manner, that it raises suspicions in the cops, though the Feds are in on it. Anita’s luck goes from bad to worse as accusations surface, but something was missed. It’s a good next chapter for this complex story.

Skeleton key: Dead Can’t Dance- Nothing good comes from playing with dead things, and dancing with ones is probably not such a swell idea either, but leave it to wanna be rockstars to think they know better. A light hearted, amusing and funny read.

Finder: Third World Chapter 5- the finder delivers undelivered mail, or at least the stuff he hasn’t eaten. It’s as interesting as it sounds. I never get this one.

Blood Chapter 4 The action is intense as Blood rushes to save his friend, and although the action takes up most of the pages, there’s much more than meets the eye as the plot thickens. A very good closer to another great issue.

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