Forward Thinking: Dark Horse Comics for July 2006

Michael May and Kevin Melrose ruminate over the Dark Horse solicitations so you don't have to!

BMWFILMS.COM PRESENTS THE HIRE

Michael: I confess that the corporate name on this is keeping me away. I didn't check out the "webisodes" because I didn't feel like watching a commercial and I don't feel like paying thirteen bucks to read one in comics form, regardless of the unmistakable talent involved. Am I missing out?

Kevin: I'm trying to muster interest, because I like a lot of the creators involved: Wagner, Waid, Busiek, Grant. But, alas, no.

CONAN AND THE SONGS OF THE DEAD #1

Michael: Lansdale and Truman on Conan? I can't breathe!

Kevin: I'm not keen on sword and sorcery, so I've never gotten the appeal of Conan. I may give this a try, though.

DARK HORSE TWENTY YEARS

Michael: In 1990, Elektra records released a two-disk anniversary CD called Rubaiyat. In it they had various Elektra artists record cover songs that were originally done by various other Elektra artists. So, you've got The Cure singing "Hello, I Love You," Gipsy Kings covering "Hotel California," and Faster Pussycat singing "You're So Vain." It was brilliant. This is sort of Dark Horse's version of that and my only complaint is that it isn't four-times as long, in hardcover, and about a hundred times more expensive. I'm going to feel guilty taking this home for a quarter.

Kevin: Now this I can get squarely behind -- and not just because it costs 25 cents. Eric Powell drawing Star Wars? Adam Hughes on Hellboy? I'll take two, please.

THE ESCAPISTS #1

Michael: I have got to read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay because Lord knows I want to read this and I'd really like to have all the backstory.

Kevin: One dollar? Can that be right? It's like Dark Horse is having an Everything! Must! Go! sale. Anyway, the creative lineup of Brian Vaughan, Philip Bond and Eduardo Barreto is so solid, I'd gladly pay triple the amount.

THE GREMLINS HC

Michael: This just looks charming as all get out. I don't know how Dark Horse scored this one, but I'm gonna help 'em make money on it.

HELLBOY ANIMATED STATUE #1: HELLBOY

Michael: *looks for $150 just lying around not being used*

Kevin: If you need me, I'll be selling plasma.

PATHFINDER TPB

Michael: I love Christopher Shy's artwork, but the concepts behind the stories he's illustrated have never grabbed me. Until now.

Kevin: I think "haunting" is a good way to describe his work. I love Norse Sagas-type stories, but unfortunately we don't see many of them in comics. So, I'll happily plunk down the cash for this one.

THE PERHAPANAUTS TPB

Michael: I bought the first issue of this mini-series and immediately thought, "This is gonna be better as a trade paperback." I didn't buy anymore of the single issues, so it's time for me to get my wallet back out now. Dezago and Company have figured out how to finally make the chupacabra into an interesting monster.

Kevin: I've been following the singles, but I don't enjoy it as much as I'd like. I don't know what it is about it that's not quite clicking.

SCARLET TRACES: THE GREAT GAME #1

Michael: Scarlet Traces was a great, beautifully-illustrated sequel to War of the Worlds. Out of all the WotW projects that have come out since the Spielberg movie, I've most been looking forward to this one.

Kevin: I ordered this once, and it was canceled. Maybe second time's a charm.