June 2016 PREVIEWS pre-order picks: A healthy dose of DARK HORSE COMICS

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Continuing a new feature, as we peruse the monthly PREVIEWS catalog and highlight some books we feel are worthy of your attention.

Your local comic shop depends on your pre-orders to make sure they have the books you want when you want them. Since business reality makes it impossible for a local comic shop to order some of everything, they depend on the comics readers to tell them what they want to see.  It’s a dice roll for them every month.  Won’t you help with the odds by at least telling them what you want to buy from them in two months?  Please give it a try.  We’ll do our best here to help you with those selections, from a BC Refugees point of view.  Not objective, but absolutely subjective.  

DARK HORSE COMICS page 35   http://www.darkhorse.com/?gclid=CLyQnYaWh80CFQyEaQodAH0Geg

LADY KILLER 2  #1 of 5:  The 1950’s retro-styled crime tale was a pleasant surprise.  Writer/artist Joelle Jones is a major talent. Here’s your chance to check it out if you missed  the first go-around.

From the catalog:  “The killer housewife is back!  The Schuller family has moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida, where life caries on as usual.  Josie continues to juggle Tupperware parties, her kids, and a few human heads.  However, when someone from her past tails her on a hit, she may be in for more than she bargained for."

THE FIFTH BEATLE: THE BRIAN EPSTEIN STORY EXPANDED EDITION TP Another chance to see how music and comics mesh together for a great story, and you’ll understand why this was an Eisner and Harvey Award winner. 

From the catalog:  “THE FIFTH BEATLE recounts the untold story of visionary Beatles manager Brian Epstein — who created Beatlemania and guided the band from basement gigs to unprecedented international stardom.  The multiple-award-winning graphic novels has been added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives.

The new softcover edition includes a revised sketchbook and Beatles memorabilia bonus section with behind-the-scenes insights from writer Vivek Tiwary and artists Andrew Robinson and Kyle Baker — expanded to include eight pages unique to this edition."

DARK HORSE PRESENTS #25:  If you’ve never picked up an issue of this anthology series, then there’s never been a better time than now. Issue 25 celebrates with a super-sized edition of 56 pages for $4.99.

From the catalog:  “This month’s issue features a brand-new story by Andrew Vachss.  Two great stories conclude: Michael T. Gilbert’s MR. MONSTER and Dean Motter’s MISTER X: POKERFACE  Then, stick around for all-new segments of Paul Levitz and Tim Hamilton’s BROOKLYN BLOOD, Al Gordon and Bo Hampton’s THE ONCE AND FUTURE TARZAN, Carla Speed McNeil’s FINDER: CHASE THE LADY, and Rich Woodall and Craig Rousseau’s KYRRA: ALIEN JUNGLE GIRL." 

ANOTHER CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT Fourth Edition HC:  Andrew Vacchs is a powerful writer of crime novels who specializes in focusing on chid abuse and the importance of parenting.  Partnering his colorful prose with illustrations by Geoff Darrow, Brand Anderson, Tim Bradstreet, Frank Caruso, Paul Chadwick, Rick Geary, Gary Gianni, Dave Gibbons, and Warren Pleece makes for a dynamic presentation.  

From the catalog:  Dark Horse is proud to offer the 25th anniversary edition of ANOTHER CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT, the acclaimed and ground breaking collection of short stories, poetry, and allegory by Andrew Vachss, one of the most powerful voices in the field of child protection.  This work is an illumination of the realities of child abuse, juvenile violence . . . and tribute to the power of imagination.  It features a line-up of award winning artists as well as all-new material."

WORLD OF TANKS #1 of 5:  Garth Ennis is the modern master chronicler of war stories among his other accomplishments. It will be interesting to see what he does with this property, based on a popular online game.

From the catalog:  “Garth Ennis (Preacher, Hellblazer) joins Carlos Ezquerra (Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog) to create a tense war story inspired by the massively popular (over 110 millions players) online game WORLD OF TANKS.  An untested British crew inadvertently commands an unconventional Cromwell tank into France while hunted by a hardened German panzer unit."

HELLBOY IN HELL Volume 2:  Anything produced by the Mignolaverse is worth picking up, especially if you are a fan of horror in comics.  You’d be hard pressed to find a more fully realized universe with all Hellboy-related titles linked together to tell a massive epic.

From the catalog:  “After facing off for a second time against the Vampire of Prague, Hellboy, dead and in Hell, comes down with a fatal illness and seeks the help of an incompetent team of doctors.  As he explores the geography of Hell, learning little from a confused pair of mapmakers, Hellboy gets a glimpse of the new World Tree that he helped to create, stands accused by his own sister of a terrible murder, and causes the destruction of Pandemonium itself in the climatic chapter of the series that the LA Times calls ‘the best work of Mike Mignola’s career.’  Collects issues #6 - #10."

HOUSE OF PENANCE #5:  While we are on the subject of horror comics, don’t overlook this little gem from a workhorse creator and unheralded writer in the DC stable. Peter Tomasi, writer.  Dave Stewart, artist.  Ian Bertram, cover art.

From the catalog:  “Warren Peck is surprised to discover how far he is willing to go to protect the tormented widow.  Their connection deepens as Peck contemplates his bloody past and Sarah grows more determined than ever to atone for her family’s sins."