Tag Archives: tom morello

He’s Not Gonna Take It reminds us to keep fighting for what’s right and our rights

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The name of Dee Snider is synonymous with the battle for freedom of expression in the arts. This new graphic novel will follow the impact of it throughout Dee’s life. From a childhood where he was frequently silenced, through the early efforts to stifle his band’s music, to the open warfare of the PMRC hearings in Washington DC, and his current efforts on social media, HE’S NOT GONNA TAKE IT tells the story of why free speech is so important to this man who has fought for it. Even when it endangered everything that was important to him.

Story: Dee Snider, Frank Marraffino
Art: Steve Kurth
Cover Art: Erik Rodriguez
Print Art: Roy Brudine, Javier Aranda, Carlos Olivares
Color: Giada Marchisie, Alessandra Alexakis, Valerio Alloro, Paolo Raiteri, Nicola Righi
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Foreword: Tom Morello

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Bookshop
Amazon

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Review – Tom Morello’s Orchid

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Orchid #12 coverMusician Tom Morello might best be known for raging against machines, but in Orchid, his epic series published by Dark Horse, he’s written a story of those down and out raging against the man. This week sees the release of Orchid #12, the finale of the first epic story arc (though I’m sure, and hope, we’ll see more).

The future is destroyed by an environmental collapse that made land scarce and wiped out much of the human race. The story focuses on Orchid, a prostitute turned freedom fighter/terrorist looking to overthrow an unjust society lead by a tyrant. The series began when the Occupy Movement was still active and Morello brings his real life political activism to comics, but rarely crosses into preachy territory. In fact the comic initially suffered backlash from the left as the main character was a prostitute, an issue Morello put to rest in the press explaining how he’d handle the character among other things.

But that aspect of Orchid is a key part of her character and the series. She’s property, with the word tattooed across her chest, and lowest of the low in a world turned upside down and struggling. Much like the Occupy Movement of the time, these upstart fighters were a reflection of the 99% raging against the 1% that rule. Much like the world they live in, it’s a twisted reflection of real life and the struggle so many are fighting today. This is a post racial society where sexual orientation doesn’t seem to matter (read the series to get that one, it takes a bit), it’s focus is clearly class, patriarchy and exploitation of the masses.

But, Morello focused on what’s important, a solid story full of action and cool monsters. Sure there’s discussion of class and patriarchy and violence against women, but those themes are weaved within a plot that’s as much epic fantasy story as political parable.

Orchid and her companions are searching for General China, a powerful masked leader who last stood up for the people. Their goal is to take down the fascist dictator Tomo Wolfe. But what’s amazing isn’t just the details, but also the small details.

Those details are brought to life through the art of Scott Hepburn. This is a world twisted by environmental destruction. A world renewed where animals have evolved into new forms to survive in this new environment. On top of those crazy creatures Hepburn adds details to each character that’s mind blowing. Clothes are made from scraps, in a patchwork look, small pieces are added to people’s glasses or worn as jewelry, it all creates a lived in world whose look is as well thought out as the story.

I could say the story and the art are reasons enough to pick up this series, but each issue also comes with free music by Tom Morello.

Orchid is a comic that delivers a message that gets you to think while avoiding being preachy. That’s intelligently delivered in a beautiful package with solid and entertaining story. Do yourself a favor and get the complete series if you haven’t yet. It’s rare for a comic to make you think and entertain at the same time. This might be Tom Morello’s first foray into comics, but it’s one hell of a start. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Story: Tom Morello Art: Scott Hepburn

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review

Around the Tubes

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It’s a new week and C2E2 is over.  Any announcements folks are excited about?

Around the Blogs:

IGN – C2E2: Marvel Reveals Ultimate Universe Event – Should be interesting.

MTV Geek – C2E2 2012: Avengers Vs. X-Men Panel Brings The Fight To Chicago – Doesn’t this event cover all the cons?

MTV Geek – C2E2 2012: Did DC’s “All Access: Before Watchmen” Panel Have Fans Saying “Hurm,” or “Hurm!” – Still not sure what to think.

CBR – C2E2: Jhonen Vasquez Talks Johnny, Zim & More – I want more Johnny!

CBR – C2E2: Tom Morello on “Orchid,” Music & Politics – One of the people I’d love to interview.

Bleeding Cool – ComiXology At C2E2: Alex De Campi, A Digital Pioneer – Some good hints as to what to expect.

Comics Alliance – Marvel’s Sunday at C2E2: ‘Thor’ Crossover with ‘Journey into Mystery,’ McKelvie on ‘Defenders’ – Lots of Marvel news during this con.

Tom Morello’s Orchid #1 Sells Out of Comic Shops!

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Official Press Release

TOM MORELLO’S ORCHID #1 SELLS OUT OF COMIC SHOPS!

November 2nd, MILWAUKIE, OR – Demand for Tom Morello’s epic dystopian fantasy has driven comic stores across the U.S. to a complete sell out of issue #1!

From the mind of musician Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman), with art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), Orchid is the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her.

Issue #1 – When the seas rose, genetic codes were smashed. Now, human settlements are ringed by a dense wilderness, from which ferocious new animal species prey on the helpless. The high ground belongs to the rich and powerful, who overlook swampland shantytowns from their fortresslike cities. Iron-fisted rule ensures order and allows the wealthy to harvest the poor as slaves. Welcome to the world of Orchid.

Look for news about an Orchid #1 reprint on the Dark Horse Blog, but in the meantime head to your local comic shop and grab one of the final copies of #1 for only $1 before they’re gone for good!

Orchid #2 is on sale November 9th, 2011

Issue #2 – Orchid, along with her little brother and an unexpected ally named Simon, find themselves in unknown territory after they’re captured and sold by slave traders. Headed toward the feared Fortress Penuel, Simon must mount an escape plan if he’s going to rescue his rebel comrades and return the mysterious and powerful mask of General China to its rightful owner–a saint believed to save the oppressed from the wicked Tomo Wolfe.

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, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, 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 licensed comics material.

Around the Tubes

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It’s New York Comic Con!  You’ll find a lot of posts here as to what happened Friday, but we’ll have our own coverage peppered throughout the day.  Here’s the new you might have missed.

Around the Blogs:

The Mary Sue – Real-Life Superhero Phoenix Jones Unmasked, Revealed to Have Gerald’s Haircut from Hey Arnold! – Now we’ll find out if super villains really would target family members if secret identities are revealed.

NY Magazine – Tom Morello on His New Comic Series, Occupy Wall Street, and Superman Renouncing His Citizenship – Some interesting stuff here.

Color Lines – Comic Artist Re-Draws Islam With Secular Superheroes in “The 99” –  A great interview here.

Con Coverage:

CBR – NYCC: The Resurrection of Extreme Studios

CBR – NYCC: Jim McCann Launches Thriller “Mind The Gap” At Image

The Beat – NYCC 2011: Day Two Photos

MTV Geek – DC Comics All Access: Batman – NYCC Panel Recap

The Beat – NYCC Announcements: The Lost Alan Moore Scripts Resurface

MTV Geek – Star Wars Collectibles with Chris Spitale At NYCC!

Comicvine – Marvel Reveals Ultimate Covers, Discusses Ultimate Rebirth At New York Comic Con

Comics Alliance – Vertigo Goes Same-Day Digital, Announces Paul Cornell’s ‘Saucer Country’ [NYCC 2011]

Comics Alliance – Green Lantern Panel Digs Into The Corps, Announces ‘Robot Chicken’ DC Special [NYCC 2011]

CBR – NYCC: Marvel’s “Amazing Spider-Man” Panel

IGN – NYCC: Brubaker Gets Fatale

IGN – NYCC: The Scarlet Spider Returns

IGN – NYCC: The Death of Boba Fett?

Space – ‘Astronaut Dad’ Graphic Novel Debuts at NY Comic Con

Bleeding Cool – NYCC Debut: Don’t Be Afraid

The Beat – NYCC 11: Here there be con

Bleeding Cool – NYCC Debut – Epic #1 by Tyler James and Matt Zolman

Spandexless – Beth’s NYCC Day 1: In Which I Can’t Get It Together

Bleeding Cool – NYCC Debut: Neonomicon TPB by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows

The Beat – NYCC 11: Retailer breakfast highlights

Around the Tubes Reviews:

Ely Standard – Venom

IGN – Comic Book Reviews for 10/12/11

NYCC 11 – Tom Morello’s The Nightwatchman To Play Free Concert at NYCC!

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THE NIGHTWATCHMAN DEFENDS NEW YORK COMIC CON!

TOM MORELLO TO PLAY FREE CONCERT OPENING NIGHT!

October 5, Milwaukie, OR— On Thursday, October 13th at 7:30PM, Tom Morello as The Nightwatchman, accompanied by the Freedom Fighter Orchestra will take the stage at the IGN Theater at the Javitts Center to play a riveting set for the New York Comic Con Kick-Off Concert.

The Grammy award-winning artist released The Nightwatchman World Wide Rebel Songs on August 30th and has been taking the country by political storm, one city at a time.

“The core of The Nightwatchman is dark matter,” says Tom Morello. “But at the heart of every struggle, there’s hope. So this is an album of rousing hopelessness—it’s part Johnny Cash and part Che Guevara, part beacon light and part arson fire.”

Tom Morello’s graphic novel Orchid, which tells the tale of a 16-year-old street prostitute in a dystopian future, will be released in twelve issues through Dark Horse Comics will be on sale October 12th.  Orchid features a variant cover by the well-known and influential street artist Shepard Fairey, with interior art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic).

 “Orchid is part Suicide Girl, part Joan of Arc, who becomes the Spartacus of Whores in a story that merges the epic scope of Lord of the Rings with the politics of street terrorism.” – Tom Morello

Headlined by DJ Z-Trip, the concert is free to all VIP’s and 4-Day ticket holders BUT seating is first come, first served and will be extremely limited due to size of the auditorium and popularity of the event. Ultimate Access, Special Access and Anime Access VIP ticket holders will be guaranteed to get into the show first; then, 4-Day ticket holders will be let in until the auditorium is full. The concert is open to all 4-Day ticket holders on a first come, first served basis and we cannot guarantee that all 4-Day ticket holders that want to attend the show will be able to get in.

“I’m stoked and honored to be playing alongside Tom Morello at the New York Comic Con. He’s one of my favorite guitarists of all time, and I’ve always admired the level of consciousness he brings to the table. This show is gonna be great. Can’t wait to read his new comic too.” – DJ Z-Trip

Tom Morello is appearing courtesy of Dark Horse Comics, New York Comic Con and Midtown Comics – who will be selling Orchid #1 exclusively at the Kick-Off Concert.

“The world is in flux,” Tom Morello says. “People are standing up and fighting for their rights around the globe. It’s an important juncture we’re at—is anyone going to stand up? The Nightwatchman will stand up, and this is the soundtrack for that struggle.”

In an era of chaos and turmoil around the globe, the voice of The Nighwatchman is needed now more than ever. With so many artists all too willing to abdicate any position of protest and challenge, Tom Morello, and the international concerns of his World Wide Rebel Songs, offer essential tools for the social justice struggles of today.

 

About Tom Morello

Tom Morello is a Grammy Award-winning guitarist best known for his tenure with the bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, his acoustic solo act, The Nightwatchman. Tom is also the cofounder of the nonprofit organization Axis of Justice.  The Harvard educated guitarist was ranked #26 in Rolling Stone‘s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”  and has sold over 30 million records.

 

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, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, 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 licensed comics material.

 

About Midtown Comics

Midtown Comics opened its first shop in 1997, and has become the leading comic book retailer in the U.S., with its online store as well as at three landmark NYC locations: Times Square, Grand Central and Downtown. The hottest titles are all here: DC-The New 52, Batman, Green Lantern, Captain America, Thor, Flash, Fear Itself, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Hellboy, Spider-Man, X-Men, Superman, Fantastic Four, Wonder Woman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Wolverine, Flashpoint, and more. Midtown offers the best independent, or alternative, comics selection as well, including Persepolis, Maus, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Scott Pilgrim, Love and Rockets and so many more. The best online comic book subscription service is also found at Midtown’s online store, with no deposit and no commitment.

Dark Horse Unveils Signing Schedule for New York Comic Con 2011!

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Official Press Release

DARK HORSE UNVEILS SIGNING SCHEDULE FOR NEW YORK COMIC CON 2011!

SEPTEMBER 30, MILWAUKIE, OR—What do a rock star, the lead writer of Mass Effect, and the ever-charming and talented Ms. Becky Cloonan all have in common? They’re all signing at the Dark Horse booth!

Following up on Wednesday’s announcement of Dark Horse’s 2011 New York Comic Con programming, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: the 2011 Dark Horse New York Comic Con schedule!

The full schedule of Dark Horse’s in-booth signings and activities can be found below:

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY:

Spin the Dark Horse prize wheel for a chance to win free digital comics, including Mass Effect and Star Wars: Crimson Empire bundles!

Thursday, October 13

6:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

Friday, October 14

10:30 a.m. The Occultist—Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash) and Jenny Frison (Criminal Macabre)

11:00 a.m. Bunny in the Moon—Tara McPherson

11:00 a.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

11:30 a.m. Orchid—Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman) and Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)

FREE Orchid poster featuring art by Massimo Carnevale. Ticketed event. Please talk to a Dark Horse staff member at the show.

12:30 p.m. Dethklok—Jon Schnepp, Jeremy Barlow, and Nate Piekos

1:30 p.m. The Immortal—Ian Edginton

FREE poster revealing never-before-seen art from the upcoming comic The Immortal, adapted from an acclaimed Japanese novel and written by Ian Edginton (Scarlet Traces, Star Trek: Early Voyages, Warhammer 40,000)

2:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a The Thing movie T-shirt and free digital comics! Read the FREE digital prequel comic of The Thing now!

2:30 p.m. Star Wars—Andrea Mutti

Find out what Star Wars series Andrea Mutti (Rage) will be working on at Friday’s Dark Horse panel (1:30–2:30 p.m., Room 1A15).

3:30 p.m. The Massive—Brian Wood and Kristian Donaldson (DMZ)

4:30 p.m. Star Wars: Jedi—The Dark Side—Scott Allie and Mahmud Asrar

6:30 p.m. Dr. McNinja—Christopher Hastings

Saturday, October 15

10:30 a.m. Mass Effect—Mac Walters

11:00 a.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

11:30 a.m. The Last Dragon—Jane Yolen and Rebecca Guay

FREE face painting inspired by The Last Dragon! FREE miniprint to the first one hundred people in line for the signing.

12:30 p.m. House of Night—Jenny Frison

Get Marked! FREE House of Night face painting during the signing with cover artist Jenny Frison! FREE House of Night poster. And the first twenty-five people in line for the signing will receive a copy of The Fledgling Handbook 101 by P. C. Cast with Kim Doner from St. Martin’s Press!

1:30 p.m. Beasts of Burden—Evan Dorkin

1:30 p.m. Avatar: The Last Airbender—FREE face-painting event

2:30 p.m. Dragon Age—David Gaider and Mike Laidlaw

FREE print to the first one hundred people in line to meet the lead writer and lead designer of Dragon Age!

3:30 p.m. Angel & Faith—Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs

4:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

4:30 p.m. Comic TBA—Brian Wood (DMZ, Demo, Northlanders) and Becky Cloonan (Demo, Pixu)

Find out what Dark Horse comic Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan are going to be working on together at Friday’s Dark Horse panel (1:30–2:30 p.m., Room 1A15)!

5:30 p.m. Evelyn, Evelyn—Cynthia von Buhler

Sunday, October 16

10:00 a.m. Beanworld—Larry Marder

10:30 a.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

11:00 a.m. Mignolaverse—Mike Mignola and John Arcudi

Ticketed event. Please talk to a Dark Horse staff member at the show.

12:00 p.m. Creepy—Dan Braun

It’s trick-or-treat time, but not for the kiddos! FREE Creepy comics to the first one hundred people in line, plus an array of crazy Creepy prizes just in time for All Hallow’s Eve!

1:00 p.m. Behind the Scenes of Mass Effect—Mac Walters

Mac Walters discusses the process of writing Mass Effect comics and walks through a digital preview of Mass Effect: Invasion #1.

2:00 p.m. FREE T-SHIRTS, COMICS! Come to the Dark Horse booth for a chance to win a Hellboy T-shirt and free digital comics!

2:30 p.m. Kult—Jeremy Barlow

3:00 p.m. Robert E. Howard’s Savage Sword—Jeremy Barlow, Paul Tobin, and Joshua Williamson

4:00 p.m. Falling Skies—Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra

Are you missing Falling Skies? Talk to the creators of the preview comic and get a Falling Skies pin from TNT, while supplies last!

Keep your eyes on the Dark Horse blog for further announcements on signings, in-booth events, green-screen photo ops, and so much more!

NYCC 11 – Dark Horse Unveils Programming Schedule for New York Comic Con 2011!

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Official Press Release

DARK HORSE UNVEILS PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE FOR NEW YORK COMIC CON 2011! 

SEPTEMBER 28, MILWAUKIE, OR—As anticipation grows for what has become the fastest-growing comic show in the country, Dark Horse gives fans the first taste of what to expect at this year’s New York Comic Con!

The full schedule of Dark Horse programming can be found below:

Friday, October 14

1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

Room 1A15

DARK HORSE PRESENTS: 25 YEARS OF PUBLISHING AND BEYOND

Join Dark Horse’s senior managing editor, Scott Allie, and director of public relations, Jeremy Atkins, for a look at all that the publisher has on tap for the coming year. In addition to news about all of the hot new fall titles, like Orchid, The Strain, and House of Night, we look to 2012 for a sneak peek at what fans can expect in not only the company’s flagship anthology Dark Horse Presents, but also Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and more! Guests include Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Orchid), Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders, The Massive), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Uncanny X-Force, The Punisher), Jerome Opeña (Fear Agent, The Punisher), Tony Moore (Fear Agent, The Walking Dead), and more!


Saturday, October 15

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Room 1A15

BUFFY AND ANGEL PRESENT: DARK HORSE DOES VAMPIRES RIGHT!

Dark Horse Comics invites you to attend a special panel highlighting the growing number of comics featuring vampires! In addition to the highly successful Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics, we introduce you to other titles, like Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden’s Baltimore, P. C. and Kristin Cast’s House of Night, and Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s The Strain! Join Dark Horse’s managing editor, Scott Allie, director of public relations, Jeremy Atkins, and Angel & Faith’s writer Christos Gage and artist Rebekah Isaacs, as well as a few surprise guests, for a panel you can really sink your teeth into. If that’s not enough, every attendee will receive a free copy of Angel & Faith #1!

4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Room 1A24

DARK HORSE AND BIOWARE PRESENT:  MAPPING THE MASS EFFECT UNIVERSE

With comics, novels, movies, and a third game on the horizon, Mass Effect has become one of the largest science-fiction franchises in the world. Join Mass Effect lead writer Mac Walters, along with Dark Horse’s director of public relations, Jeremy Atkins, and director of custom programs, Nick McWhorter, for an exploration of what makes Mass Effect so special! Fans will get a firsthand look at the upcoming comics series Invasion and the art book The Art of the Mass Effect Universe, as well as a taste of Mass Effect 3! With announcements to be made, surprise guests, prizes, and giveaways, we couldn’t give you more reasons to attend!

5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.

Room 1A03

DARK HORSE SPOTLIGHT: MIKE MIGNOLA

With Hellboy dead, and the B.P.R.D. and the world at large in shambles, what’s next for this elite team of paranormal investigators? Enter the mind of creator Mike Mignola for a spirited discussion of the future of Hellboy, the B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson, Edward Grey, and a world that has spawned television, novels, video games, and more. Attendees will be rewarded with exclusive insight, announcements, and even a special giveaway!

6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Room 1A24

CREEPY AND EERIE: ALL HALLOW’S EVE EDITION

Discuss the new Dark Horse Creepy series, the classic age of the Warren Creepy and Eerie magazines, and all the exciting things coming up in the Creepy universe with a bone-chilling panel including Louise Simonson, Joe Harris (“The Curse” from Creepy #1–#3), and a number of other special guests. Moderated by New Comic Company’s twin engines Dan Braun (Creepy) and Josh Braun (A History of Violence). Plus, there will be Creepy trivia questions with swag and prizes!

Watch the Dark Horse blog for further announcements on signings, in-booth events, green-screen photo ops, and so much more!

Win a Release Party for Tom Morello’s Orchid At Your Local Comic-Book Shop!

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Official Press Release

ROCK YOUR LOCAL COMIC-BOOK SHOP!

WIN A RELEASE PARTY FOR TOM MORELLO’S ORCHID!

September 20, Milwaukie, OR—Dark Horse Comics is offering one lucky comic-book store the chance to host the official Orchid release party!

That’s right! Tom Morello’s Orchid #1 comes out October 12, and to celebrate, Dark Horse Comics wants you to tell us about your favorite comic-book store and why they should have the party.

Entry rules are simple: Enter to win by commenting on the Dark Horse blog. The store with the most love wins! One entry per person. Multiple entries will be deleted. The party is to be held the evening of October 12, 2011.

One store will win a release-night party package including:

10 signed copies of Orchid

200 other Dark Horse comics to give away

10 trades to give away

Orchid posters

Dark Horse Comics key chains

An assortment of Dark Horse Comics buttons

4 Dark Horse Comics coffee mugs

Tom Morello’s Nightwatchman CDs

Pizza

A store-exclusive Orchid miniprint

And more!

The contest ends on September 30, so get on the Dark Horse blog and tell us why your local comic-book shop should win the official Orchid release party!

When the seas rose, genetic codes were smashed. Now, human settlements are ringed by a dense wilderness, from which ferocious new animal species prey on the helpless. The high ground belongs to the rich and powerful, who overlook swampland shantytowns from their fortresslike cities. Iron-fisted rule ensures order and allows the wealthy to harvest the poor as slaves. Welcome to the world of Orchid.

From the mind of musician Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman), with art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), Orchid is the tale of a teenage prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her.

Dark Horse’s Fall Publishing Line Up Is Unveiled!

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Official Press Release

VISIONARY DIRECTOR GUILLERMO DEL TORO UNLEASHES HIS NEW YORK TIMES

BEST-SELLING NOVEL SERIES,

THE STRAIN IN COMICS!

SAN DIEGO, CA—JULY 20, 2011—Fans, media and industry professionals mobbed the Dark Horse booth at Comic Con this evening for a chance to catch a glimpse of Dark Horse’s fall line-up, including the upcoming comic adaptation of The Strain, created by visionary director, Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan.

When a Boeing 777 lands at JFK International Airport and goes dark on the runway, the Center for Disease Control, fearing a terrorist attack, calls in Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and his team of expert biological-threat first responders. Only an elderly pawnbroker from Spanish Harlem suspects a darker purpose behind the event—an ancient threat intent on covering mankind in darkness.

Adapting the first novel from Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s The Strain Trilogy, this horrifying first chapter—told in eight issues—deals with an outbreak of diabolical proportions that puts a terrifying twist on the vampire genre.

“When discussing The Strain, Chuck and I agreed on one thing regarding any possible adaptation: It should not start until after we were done with the last book in the trilogy and we would only entertain a medium that would allow us to expand the world and the characters we had created” said co-creator, Guillermo del Toro.  Working with Dark Horse, David Lapham and Mike Huddleston provides us with the chance of expanding it further.  A dream come true!”

“The chance to work with del Toro on any project was just too good to pass up” said writer, David Lapham. “But the fact that this is a vicious horror project, that I’m teamed with a great artist, and been given a great amount of creative freedom to interpret the novel has made this a dream project.”

Adapted by writer David Lapham (Stray Bullets, Kull), with art by Mike Huddleston (MK Ultra), the chilling first issue arrives on sale on December 14.

 

 

ORCHID STEMS FROM DARK HORSE COMICS!

 A CLASS STRUGGLE FROM THE MIND OF TOM MORELLO!

July 20, MILWAUKIE, OR—Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Dark Horse Comics brings you a brand-new project from the creative mind of Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The Nightwatchman).

A free exclusive music track from Tom Morello will be available with purchase of each issue to serve as a soundtrack to the story! Morello’s new album under the name of The Nightwatchman, entitled World Wide Rebel Songs, is due out August 30, 2011, from New West Records.

Orchid is an epic fantasy story set in a dystopian future infused with Morello’s worldview and the politics of terror.

Part Suicide Girl, part Joan of Arc – Orchid is the tale of a 16-year-old street prostitute who learns that she is more than the role society has imposed upon her. When the seas rose, genetic codes were smashed. Human settlements are now ringed by a dense wilderness from which ferocious new animal species prey on the helpless. The high ground belongs to the rich and powerful that overlook swampland shantytowns from their fortress-like cities. Iron-fisted rule ensures order and allows the wealthy to harvest the poor as slaves. Welcome to the world of Orchid.

Orchid features a variant cover by the well-known and influential street artist Shepard Fairey, with interior art by Scott Hepburn (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic).

Orchid is on sale October 12, 2011.

About Tom Morello

Tom Morello is a Grammy Award-winning guitarist best known for his tenure with the bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, his acoustic solo act, The Nightwatchman. Tom is also the cofounder of the nonprofit organization Axis of Justice.  The Harvard educated guitarist was ranked #26 in Rolling Stone‘s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”  and has sold over 30 million records.

 

 

BEST-SELLING AUTHOR P.C. CAST BRINGS HER HOUSE OF NIGHT SERIES TO DARK HORSE!

SAN DIEGO, CA—JULY 20, 2011—The Dark Horse booth was overrun with fans, media and industry professionals tonight, as Dark Horse unveiled three new titles with three new creators. P.C. Cast and her daughter, Kristin Cast, may be new names to the comics world, but to genre fiction fans, they are the beloved co-authors of the incredibly successful series of novels set in the world of House of Night. Now the Casts bring these high school-aged vampires to comics with all-new stories, tying in directly to the existing series!

Until recently, Zoey Redbird was an average high-school student worrying about grades, boys, and breakouts. But priorities have a way of changing when you are marked as a vampyre, enroll in the vampyre academy House of Night, and have to figure out a whole new social hierarchy, affinities for elemental magic, and physiological changes that make you crave blood.

In this series, taking place between scenes from Betrayed (the second book in the wildly popular House of Night series, which has sold millions of copies internationally), Zoey is in desperate need of guidance as she prepares to take over the elite student group known as the Dark Daughters. Surrounded by her group of devoted friends, Zoey turns to The Fledgling Handbook, a historical vampyre tome, in hopes of better understanding this big, new world of vampyrism.

“Watching my characters and their world come to life with the fabulous team at Dark Horse has been fulfilling and fun” said author, P.C. Cast. “Fans are gonna love these comics!”

The comic will be co-written by Kent Dallan, with art by Joelle Jones (Troublemaker). House of Night is the second new title in Dark Horse’s fall line-up, arriving in stores on November 9TH!

Check out the exclusive reveal trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVMSEPl3gZA