Tag Archives: dark horse

The Big Shakedown #1 takes the familiar missing persons detective story and gives it a twist

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The Big One, the earthquake to end all earthquakes, has finally struck Los Angeles. The government decides not to rebuild and the city becomes a no man’s land for those that refuse to leave it. But hey, you can’t beat the weather.

Five years later Ester Blanco, a down on her luck former P.I., is willing to do anything to escape the City of Angels. She believes she’s found her ticket out when a desperate father hires her to solve a missing person’s case in a city where a third of the population is already missing. Instead, the trail of this lost girl leads Ester to uncover a dark web of cults, conspiracy and corruption that threatens every Angeleno that stayed behind.

Story: Jordan Blum, Tim Seeley
Art: Scott Koblish
Color: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Nate Piekos

Get your copy now!

Zeus Comics
Kindle

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Preview: Shaolin Cowboy: Staying A.I.Live #3

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Shaolin Cowboy: Staying A.I.Live #3

Writer: Geof Darrow
Artist: Geof Darrow
Colorist: Ian Herring
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Cover artist: Geof Darrow

GONG FU VS. THE ROBOTS!!!

After escaping an ICY reception in small town Amerigunn, The Shaolin Cowboy must now deal with an army of COLA-CRAZED ROBOTS and these Chatbots aren’t interested in chit chat! They are only interested in finding a final solution to the Cowboy’s immigration status. Will the Cowboy’s unique mix of Shaolin, Tai-Chi, Wing Chun, Hung Gar, Bak Mei, Choy Li Fut, Changquan, Xingyiquan, Xingyiquan, Karate, Iaido, and Mahjong be enough to stop Emil Cola’s deadly engines of VENGEANCE????

You’ll have to get through 28 pages of exciting 6-7 thrills to FIND OUT!!!
Nate Piekos will spell it out!
Ian Herring will provide the color commentary! Geof Darrow draws the lines in the sand!!

Comic book cover featuring 'The Shaolin Cowboy' with dynamic artwork, showcasing a cowboy battling with an animated soda machine and various robotic spiders, set in a vibrant cityscape.
Cover art for 'The Shaolin Cowboy' comic book, issue #3, featuring a chaotic scene with various characters, robotic elements, and vibrant explosions against a blue sky.
Comic book cover for 'The Shaolin Cowboy: Staying A.I. Live' featuring a cowboy with a hammer and guns, standing confidently with a mysterious woman in the background with wings.
A busy urban scene with a chaotic confrontation between a giant robot and a man in a red jacket. The robot, resembling a soda vending machine, is firing projectiles while pedestrians react with surprise. In the background, buildings and shops create a vibrant city atmosphere.
A chaotic urban scene depicting a bustling street filled with people, animals, and vehicles. A man jumps dramatically from a car, shooting flames amidst the commotion. Various shops and advertisements are visible in the background, contributing to the vibrant city atmosphere.
A comic-style illustration depicting various characters interacting in a busy urban environment, featuring a large sign that reads 'Overseas Art Travel' and a delivery truck advertising 'Sow Seas Fish'. The panels showcase a range of expressions and moments, including a man struggling with a white fluffy animal, and a figure in a hat making hand gestures.
A comic-style illustration featuring a cowboy wielding a large object, with vibrant urban backgrounds filled with signs and details. The scene depicts action and movement, with elements of humor and surrealism.

Preview: The Foundry #2

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The Foundry #2

Writer: Mike Mignola · Chris Roberson
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Cover artist: Christopher Mitten

The Queen’s paranormal investigators’ mission is off to a sinking start when their airship gets attacked by an unseen foe!

Characters from Witchfinder and The British Paranormal Society join together in this adventure series where they travel the world over seeking out supernatural-powered technologies and the stories of the civilizations that harnessed them—for good and for evil.

Longtime Hellboy universe writer Chris Roberson and fan-favorite artist Christopher Mitten reunite for this series that will take readers around the world—and hopefully back again.

Cover of the comic 'The Foundry' featuring colorful oversized plants and four characters standing on a surreal landscape.
An illustrated scene from a comic depicting a conversation among three characters in a control room, with one character in traditional clothing and the others in military uniforms, discussing an airship mission in a desert setting.
A chaotic scene in an airship's controls as crew members react to an external threat, with debris flying and a large creature splashing in the ocean.
A comic book panel depicting a group of characters discussing a maritime emergency. The scene shows a messy ship interior with various characters in uniforms strategizing about lifeboats and buoyancy, conveying a sense of urgency and teamwork.
A comic panel showing a group of men in a dark, chaotic environment. One man in a turban is directing a group, while others appear to be preparing to escape. Dialogue bubbles indicate a sense of urgency and tension.
A comic book scene depicting two characters in a flooded ship interior, one holding a rope while another is submerged. Dialogue indicates a tense moment as they monitor the situation and attempt to manage the water levels.

Preview: Ghost of a Ghost #1

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Ghost of a Ghost #1

Writer: Mike Mignola · Chris Roberson
Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
Colorist: Taki Soma
Cover artist: Michael Avon Oeming

After being exposed to enkeladite in Giant Robot Hellboy, superspy Agent Jian uses her newfound powers as part of a mysterious spy ring entrusted to investigate enkeladite stores and keep the powerful material out of the wrong hands—but just whose hands are the wrong ones is harder to determine than she thought.

Chris Roberson, Michael Avon Oeming and Taki Soma join Mike Mignola in this psychedelic 60s spy-fi action series!

Comic book cover for 'Ghost of a Ghost' featuring various characters in dynamic poses, with a central character holding a weapon and a colorful spiral background.
Comic book cover for 'Ghost of a Ghost' featuring a central female character in a black outfit holding guns, surrounded by various other characters in colorful panels, all set against a stylized background.
A comic panel featuring a dark, mysterious setting with mountains in the background and a large moon. One character is hanging in a brightly lit area, while another character observes from the shadows, highlighting tension and intrigue in the story.
Comic book panel featuring characters discussing their concerns in a dimly lit corridor filled with shelves, one character looking alert and holding a device.
Comic panel depicting a character in a futuristic outfit retrieving blueprints from storage, using a flashlight.
A comic panel featuring a giant robot in the background and two characters in colorful outfits. One character is reaching out with an anguished expression, while the other appears to be in motion. The background has swirling clouds and dark colors, suggesting a chaotic scene.
A comic book panel showing a woman lying on a table, being examined by robotic figures in a scientific setting, with a glowing energy field surrounding her. The second panel depicts an abstract light and energy scene. The final panel features a character in a superhero outfit perched on a building, reflecting on their enhanced abilities.

Early Review: Dungeons & Dragons #1 is an accessible, action, and humor packed series

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Cover art for Dungeons & Dragons comic issue #1 featuring three adventurers battling a dragon, with vibrant flames and dramatic poses.

In the first issue of the new Dungeons and Dragons ongoing series for Dark Horse, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Ibraim Roberson, Arabson Oliveira, and Dan Brown strike a balance similar to the role of their wizard protagonist Mordenkainen, who is basically the ultimate centrist of magic. (But in a more badass than spineless way.) They pepper this comic with dark prophecies, characters on serious missions, and of course, there’s a giant dragon on the first page. However, Dungeons and Dragons #1 has humor and sexual tension as well with Lanzing and Kelly writing fun banter between Mordenkainen and the grifter/bard/author Volo, who he runs into our favorite of first act settings: the local tavern. Dungeons and Dragons is full of deep lore, complex magic, gods, monsters, and more, but it has a wit and self-awareness that appeals to the more casual fans of franchise like yours truly.

In crafting these characters, Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Roberson create a sort of axis of seriousness on a scale of apocalypse to sexual innuendo. If there’s a lot of exposition, they season it with a well-timed quip or some kind of background gag to keep the yawns away and keep the story engaging. Mordenkainen and Volo have a classic comedy team dynamic, and this is amplified when other party members start to show up as the comic progresses. Also, kudos to Dungeons and Dragons’ creative team for taking time to flesh out the key players in the story instead of bombarding readers with names, abilities, places, and other various and sundry things that would have me scrambling around on Wikia instead of engaging in the story at hand. Because the comic takes place in one of the most richly developed fantasy worlds, there is a buzz of activity, but Lanzing and Kelly take an iceberg theory meets Chris Claremont subplots eventually become the main plot approach in Dungeons and Dragons #1. I’ve only read the first issue so I’m not 100% sure on the second part, but let’s just say I’m hoping for an old school 50-60 issue run or beyond on this series.

Visually, Dungeons and Dragons #1 goes for high fantasy shock and awe with a varied approach to page design depending on the tone of each story beat. Cover artist Esad Ribic sets the tone with a harried band of adventurers versus big ass dragon cover bringing the epic scope of his work on titles like Thor, Secret Wars, and Eternals to the world of D&D. Ibraim Roberson, Oliveira, and Brown match his approach in the interior art. Dan Brown’s palette show off the range of this book from the crackling warmth of a tavern to magic energy out the wazoo in the action bits. They succeed at splash or widescreen compositions that are a worthy game store poster or more screwball comedy scene that endear readers to the cast of characters and enhance Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly’s dialogue. Even Arabson Oliveira’s inks contribute to characterization with some folks having more of an aura than others.

Dungeons and Dragons #1 is an accessible, action, and humor packed series debut that reminded me a lot of the Forgotten Realms novels that I read when I was younger. However, Lanzing, Kelly, Roberson, and Oliveira don’t shy away from darker elements and moral ambiguity. And did I mention the dragons? In all seriousness, if you enjoy being immersed in a compelling fantasy world with peril and danger, order this one from your local comic shop even if you’re constantly Googling what a kobold is and should probably bookmark their Wiki page.

Story: Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly
Pencils: Ibraim Roberson Inks: Arabson Oliveira
Colors: Dan Brown Letters: Haley Rose Lyon
Story: 8.6 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy

The FOC for Dungeons & Dragons #1 is September 21, and it will be released on November 4

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Pre-Order: Third Eye Comics – Kindle

The Big Shakedown #1 lives up to the hype of its high concept premise of a detective story set in a post-major seismic event L.A. nightmare

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Comic book cover for 'The Big Shakedown #1' featuring a character on a yellow scooter, wearing sunglasses and a blue jacket, against a backdrop of a fragmented city landscape.

Noir meets post-apocalyptic sci-fi in The Big Shakedown, a high concept series from Jordan Blum, Tim Seeley, Scott Koblish, and Hi-Fi. The book opens with an earthquake destroying Los Angeles, who is then abandoned by the right wing religious fanatic president of the United States. Without federal aid, the City of Angels turns into a shitshow governed by big tech/drone companies and local gangs and protection rackets. Cop-turned-PI-turned TV show consultant-turned odd-job-working survivor Ester is our entry into this dark world as a simple missing persons case turns very complicated. Blum, Seeley, and Koblish use this first issue to establish the world of The Big Shakedown, but there are plenty of mysteries around the corner, especially towards the end of this installment.

Ester is really a near perfect POV character. She’s flawed, but likable with plenty of demons to exorcise. However, she also has a great sense of humor and has a working class charm. Jordan Blum and Tim Seeley’s captions for her add a lot of personality to The Big Shakedown and keep the story moving. I love that she watches old Lakers game on her VCR to find a semblance of normalcy in this crazy world because I totally watched CPU teams duke it out on NBA 2K when all the sports leagues shutdown due to COVID in 2020. (The 2018-2019 season though, oof ; at least, there was LeBron.) Also, Ester is a total badass improvising her way out of several violent scraps so she can have the money to get what she wants, which is probably out of L.A.

Scott Koblish uses his background in superhero comics to amp up the action sequences in The Big Shakedown with Hi-Fi adding splashes of intense colors like when Ester fights off bill collectors with steaming hot pot of pozole. There is something primal about the way Ester beats the crap out of folks trying to rip her off or take her hard-earned money that hints at a darker past beyond helping a TV star learn how to realistically hold a gun and then sleep with him. Although, she is five years sober, Ester is still prone to impulsive decisions that sometimes make this book feel like watching a car accident in slow motion. But that’s better than the alternative: a boring trope salad, which The Big Shakedown is far from being.

The element that draws me most to The Big Shakedown is that it’s a working class struggle story clothed in heightened genre trappings. Ester really just wants to pay the bills, but the system around her is beyond broken so she has to claw and fight for every last dollar, which is more relatable than an upper middle class white guy with a scotch and cigar sitting behind the desk. It also feels like Jordan Blum, Tim Seeley, and Scott Koblish are drawing on both experiences with the global pandemic and even the L.A. wildfires to show how traumatic events change folks, and that although we might have the same skillsets on both sides of the tragedy, we’re vastly different people. After the quake in The Big Shakedown, folks aren’t shelling out money to hire consultants for cop shows, they’re trying to eke out a living by selling batteries and avocadoes because Southern California still has great weather. Ester has changed as a person in the past five years, and it looks like this comic will go into those changes while also exploring the usual procedural elements of the crime genre.

The Big Shakedown #1 lives up to the hype of its high concept premise of a detective story set in a post-major seismic event L.A. nightmare. Blum and Seeley craft an anti-hero that Emmy-thirsty cable execs would die for, and Koblish and Hi-Fi bring a frenetic energy and a contemporary update on that West Coast noir palette that keeps the story moving and me looking forward to the next blood, guts, sunshine, and snark-filled issue.

Story: Jordan Blum and Tim Seeley Art: Scott Koblish
Colors: Hi-Fi Letters: Nate Piekos
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.2 Overall: 8.1 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: Masters of the Universe: Genesis #2

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Masters of the Universe: Genesis #2

Writer: Rich Douek
Artist: Gavin Smith
Colorist: Fabi Marques
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Cover artist: Mark Buckingham

Skeletor journeys across Eternia on a mission to raise an army of Evil Warriors. As his forces increase, Skeletor sets his sights on his first target: the city of Operon, ruled by King Thales and his daughter Princess Rhea.

Cover of 'Masters of the Universe: Genesis' comic book issue #2 featuring Skeletor in a prominent stance, surrounded by various hero characters in action poses.
Cover of 'Masters of the Universe: Genesis' comic book, featuring the character Skeletor surrounded by swirling pink energy and lightning.
A group of fantasy characters in a forest, including a cloaked figure, a skeletal character, and a beast-like warrior, with dialogue bubbles expressing intrigue and tension.
A muscular warrior with a single eye on his forehead, wielding a sword and wearing a green tunic, stands ready for battle in a forest setting. He appears confident and assertive, declaring, 'I see everything.'
A comic panel depicting a confrontation between various characters, including a sorcerer and fighters. The sorcerer appears to be casting a spell, while other characters are engaged in a tense dialogue. The setting is a dark forest.
A comic panel depicting a snowy landscape with mountains in the background. Four characters, including a skull-faced villain and a muscular warrior, are navigating through the blizzard. Dialogue bubbles show their conversation about finding a way out of the cold weather.
A comic panel showing a group of four characters traversing a snowy, mountainous landscape, discussing their concerns about stability and danger. One character is cloaked and commands attention, while others express hesitation. Snowflakes fall around them, indicating a cold environment.

Preview: The Big Shakedown #1

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The Big Shakedown #1

Writer: Jordan Blum · Tim Seeley
Artist: Scott Koblish
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Cover artist: Scott Koblish

The Big One, the earthquake to end all earthquakes, has finally struck Los Angeles. The government decides not to rebuild and the city becomes a no man’s land for those that refuse to leave it. But hey, you can’t beat the weather.

Five years later Ester Blanco, a down on her luck former P.I., is willing to do anything to escape the City of Angels. She believes she’s found her ticket out when a desperate father hires her to solve a missing person’s case in a city where a third of the population is already missing. Instead, the trail of this lost girl leads Ester to uncover a dark web of cults, conspiracy and corruption that threatens every Angeleno that stayed behind.

THE BIG SHAKEDOWN is a sunbaked LA noir in the vein of Chinatown and The Long Goodbye and set in the post-apocalyptic remains of the most beloved/hated city in the world. From writers Jordan Blum (Minor Threats) Tim Seeley (Local Man) and artist Scott Koblish (The Despicable Deadpool) comes a pulpy tale of murder, destruction and traffic.

A pulpy, high-stakes journey through the remains of the City of Angels, uncovering a dark web that threatens the few survivors left standing.

Comic book cover for 'The Big Shakedown' featuring a young woman on a yellow scooter, dressed in a denim jacket and sunglasses, set against a backdrop of a stylized map and urban ruins.
A comic panel shows two characters, a boy and a girl, embracing on the beach. A smartphone in the foreground displays an emergency alert for an earthquake detected in Los Angeles, CA. The alert notifications indicate magnitude and time for different earthquakes, with messages about the city's recent seismic activity.
Comic panel depicting a devastating urban disaster, with collapsed buildings and debris. A woman is trapped under rubble, reaching for a smartphone, while a fire burns in the background. Text elements highlight the tragedy and chaos.
A comic book panel depicting a devastated cityscape with burning debris, collapsed buildings, and a damaged car in the foreground. The title 'TAKEDOWN' is prominently displayed at the top, and speech bubbles indicate a conversation about the city's destruction.
A comic panel depicting a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles five years after an earthquake, with a mix of urban decay and lively street markets. Several characters engage in fitness and wellness activities, and a vendor is seen at a market table, emphasizing a barter economy with cash-only transactions. The scene blends themes of resilience and adaptation in a changed environment.
A comic book panel showing a scene of action with two characters in combat. One character is throwing an object while the other is being knocked down. There are onlookers in the background, and a scenic coastal view is visible in the bottom panel with buildings and a dock.

Preview: Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft #1

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Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft #1

Writer: Amy Chu
Artist: Ariela Kristantina
Colorist: Roman Stevens
Letterer: Haley Rose-Lyon
Cover artist: Guillem March

Ravenloft is falling apart, and nobody knows why.

Fortunately, monster hunter Ez D’Avenir is on the case! She’s searching the frozen wasteland of Lamordia for an undead creature that may hold the key to Ravenloft’s fate. But when Darklord Viktra Mordenheim catches wind of her quest, Ez is suddenly the one being hunted!

Join Bram Stoker Award-winning author Amy Chu and hit illustrator Ariela Kristantina for this genre-bending mystery that will unite Rudolph van Richten’s proteges from across the horrifying world of Ravenloft!

Return to Ravenloft–Dungeons & Dragons’ premier horror setting–for a genre-bending mystery that spans the Domains of Dread!

Cover of Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft comic book featuring a dramatic illustration of a woman in a red coat casting magic, with a dark, gothic backdrop and eerie architecture.
Cover art for Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft, featuring a menacing character in a dark cloak with a castle in the background and stylized figures in the foreground.
Cover of the Dungeons & Dragons comic titled Ravenloft, featuring a woman with a mask and sword, alongside a dark castle and mystical green smoke.
Cover artwork for Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft comic, featuring a heroic character wielding a sword in a gothic interior, confronting monstrous creatures.
Cover of Dungeons & Dragons comic titled 'Ravenloft', featuring a character with dark curly hair and a serious expression, holding a sword, surrounded by ornate designs and playing cards.
A comic page featuring a cloaked figure speaking to friends before an important expedition, surrounded by vibrant structures and mystical energy. The text conveys a heartfelt farewell and reflections on family.
A comic book page titled 'Lamordia: Domain of Dread', featuring a character with a serious expression in a snowy landscape, discussing impending doom and cryptic advice from a friend.
A snowy landscape featuring jagged ice formations and a dark sky. A character in a red bandana looks concerned, holding a sword, while a menacing creature lurks nearby, growling.
A comic book panel featuring a fierce female character named Ezmerelda D'Averin wielding a sword against monstrous creatures. The scene is dynamic, with elements of action and blood, emphasizing her declaration of hunting monsters.
A comic book page featuring a fierce female character with long, curly hair wielding a sword during a confrontation with a werewolf-like creature, amidst dynamic action and blood splatter.

Dark Horse announces $9.99 Compact Editions

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Dark Horse Comics has announced a new, travel-sized way to read popular stories from creator-owned series and licensed titles with a line of compact editions coming to comic shops and bookshops beginning in May 2027. These new editions, priced at $9.99, are a convenient way to experience some of the best stories from The Witcher, Black Hammer, Cyberpunk 2077, and Canto to start, with more titles arriving in the future.

The Witcher Compact Edition: The Bear and the Butterfly and The Ballad of Two Wolves features one story about Geralt of Rivia on the hunt for a vampire, and another about a bloodthirsty werewolf plaguing the town of Grimmwald. The 200-page (5.5 x 8.5”) paperback arrives in bookstores and comic shops on May 25, 2027, for $9.99. Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore or comic shop.

Comic cover featuring a character holding a fish with a butterfly perched on it, surrounded by falling snow, with a dark, stormy background.

Black Hammer Compact Edition: Secret Origins and The Event TPB collects the first two story arcs of the series when the old superheroes of Spiral City are mysteriously banished to a bizarre farm they can’t escape! Perfectly timed for celebrating 10 years of Black Hammer, the 344-page (5.5 x 8.5”) paperback arrives in bookstores and comic shops on June 1, 2027, for $9.99. Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore or comic shop. 

Cover art of the comic book 'Black Hammer: Secret Origins and The Event.' Features a large, menacing character in the foreground with a colorful cosmic background and several smaller characters in varied expressions.

Cyberpunk 2077 Compact Edition: Trauma Team and Psycho Squad is a mind-melting introduction into Night City with two stories of its most notorious specialty units. The 200-page (5.5 x 8.5”) paperback arrives in bookstores and comic shops on June 29, 2027, for $9.99. Pre-orders open soon from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore or comic shop.

Cover of the comic 'Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team and Psycho Squad', featuring armed members of the Trauma Team in futuristic uniforms against a pink background.

Also coming soon to pre-order, Canto Compact Edition: The Shrouded Man allows readers to relive or experience the first two volumes of the adventures of everyone’s favorite little clockwork hero in one 328-page (5.5 x 8.5”) paperback. The book includes Canto: If I only Had a Heart #1-6, Canto: The Hollow Man #1-5 and Canto & The Clockwork Faeries one shot. This compact edition arrives in bookstores and comic shops on July 6, 2027, for $9.99. Preorder from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore or comic shop soon.

More compact editions, including Eric Powell’s Eisner Award-winning cult classic The Goon Compact Edition: Nothin’ But my Misery and My Murderous Childhood will be announced and available to preorder soon. 

Cover artwork for 'The Goon: Nothin' But Misery and My Murderous Childhood' featuring dynamic characters, including a muscular protagonist in a white shirt and a cowboy hat, confronting monstrous figures in a colorful, action-packed design.

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