Mike Richardson of Dark Horse.

DALLAS — Dark Horse president and publisher Mike Richardson gave the keynote address at the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting this morning, speaking to the history and possible future of comics.

“For the comics industry, changes have been a constant and necessary partner,” Richardson said, tracing the medium’s early beginnings, to the success of Superman, to the censorship of the 1950s and the efforts of Frederic Wertham.

“The comic book industry essentially muzzled itself,” he said.

Comics came back in the 1960s, but the low cover prices eventually found comics being forced out at newsstands and retail stores.   Phil Seuling’s establishment of the direct comics market saved comics, Richardson said, and directly allowed companies like Dark Horse to exist.

The Dark Horse publisher recounted his origins in comics as a retailer, leaving a good job as a commercial artist to start a comic book store, a choice that led to an intervention from several of his friends.  After a few hours, he eventually told them he’d give up his comic-book dreams — but of course, he did not.

His plans to start a comic shop came from his own difficulties buying comics, having to stake out gas stations and try to avoid being judged by other patrons.

“It came to me that there might be a better way to sell comics,” he said.

Once he started his store, he not only saw the kids, teens and young adults he expected, but also plenty of adults, he said.

“All they needed was a destination — a place to go talk comics.”

That can’t completely be replaced digitally, Richardson said, but he sees a huge opportunity to grow the comics market through a digital strategy.

“Comics specialty stores are our lifeblood,” he said. “The last thing I would want to do is harm that market.”

Richardson cited a study that there could be 1 billion tablet computers in circulation in 2016.

“Would 1 percent of tablet readers download a comic?” Richardson asked.  That could be as many as 10 million people.  If 10 percent of those samplers sought out a comic book store, that could double the size of the existing comic book market, Richardson estimates.

“If we want to grow our industry, we need to take some chances,” Richardson said.

One of those chances that need to be taken is publishing a wider variety of comics, Richardson said.

“Publishers need to create new titles that will stand the test of time,” he said.

Going forward, Richardson said the direct market will be a key market for keeping comics vibrant.

“It was you who allowed comics to flourish when the bookstores were not interested,” he said.  He said the few thousand direct-market retailers, in a market created to solve a particular problem, have become the engine through which future market problems can be solved.

“I came to listen to what you have to say,” Richardson said.

He said he moved into comics as a career out of love, and that he loves reading, making and selling them.  And he closed by holding up a recent Dark Horse comic.

“And I love to hold them,” he said.

- Matt Price

Mike Richardson of Dark Horse.

The sixth annual ComicsPRO Annual Membership Meeting is set for next week in Dallas, as comic-book specialty retailers from across the country congregate to meet with vendors and suppliers, and plan objectives for the upcoming year.

The 2012 keynote speaker is Mike Richardson, president of Dark Horse Comics, president of Dark Horse Entertainment and owner of the retail store chain Things From Another World.

Richardson has written comics including “The Secret” and “Living With the Dead,” and through Dark Horse Entertainment has developed and produced projects for TV and film.

Richardson was a producer on “The Mask” and “Hellboy,” among others, and is a producer on the upcoming “R.I.P.D.,” starring Ryan Reynolds. Those three properties were based on Dark Horse comic books.

“He’s worked in the comic-book industry from almost every angle, so we’re looking forward to his speech and his thoughts on the future of the industry,” said Amanda Emmert, ComicsPRO’s executive director.

Though show sponsorship is closed, comic-book retailers can register right up to the official start of the meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday. (A Wednesday night meet-and-greet is available for preregistered retailers.) For information on registration, retailers can visit www.comicspro.org.

Joe Field, president of ComicsPRO, said he expected some breaking news to come out of this year’s meeting.

Joe Field

“As is the custom for comic conventions, publishers will make announcements about upcoming projects,” he said. “Unique to retailer-centric events, though, and particular to ComicsPRO, suppliers will talk about things that directly impact the business side of the comics industry. Will there be surprises?”

Suppliers attending include DC Comics, Baker and Taylor, Boom! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, Diamond Comic Distributors, Dynamite Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, Marvel Comics and Papercutz, among others.

Field said the wide range of retailers and suppliers makes the meeting a great place to get the pulse of the comics market.

“More so than at any consumer comics/pop culture convention, the ComicsPRO Annual Members Meeting gives a great sense of how healthy the comics specialty market is,” he said.

Also expected to be in attendance are Todd McFarlane (“Spawn”), Terry Moore (“Strangers in Paradise”), and DC Comics co-publishers Dan Didio and Jim Lee. Well-known retailer Brian Hibbs will step down from the board of directors of ComicsPRO, and a new board member will be elected.

The 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award will be presented at the meeting. This award honors those who work in comics, often behind the scenes, to smooth the process of moving comic books from creator to fan.

This year’s nominees are Cindy Fournier of Diamond Comic Distributors, David Gabriel of Marvel Comics, Robert Kirkman of Image Comics, Eric Stephenson of Image Comics and Bob Wayne of DC Comics.

The nominees for the 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Memorial Award, to honor those who have passed away but whose work left a positive mark on the comics specialty retailing, are Julius Schwartz and Phil Seuling.

Those interested can follow daily updates from the meeting at comicspro.blogspot.com and blog.newsok.com/nerdage.

- Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Good news for “Nexus” fans — the sci-fi epic will return in the pages of the anthology series “Dark Horse Presents,” as announced in Steve Rude’s e-newsletter:

Baron and Rude are re-uniting for a new Nexus story. The story will be published under the Dark Horse banner in their Dark Horse Presents anthology book. After three 10-page installments in DHP, the story will eventually be published as its own stand-alone 30 pg. book. We’re withholding plot specifics at this point, but Baron’s story will focus on the “nature of evil”.

 Baron will script, Rude will draw, ink, and letter! More details as they arise. Merry Christmas to all Nexus fans!

Dark Horse has been reprinting “Nexus” in hardcover archive editions.  Steve Rude’s “Rude Dude” most recently published new issues of “Nexus,” as well as a black and white softcover compilation of the earliest issues.

Dark Horse sent out a news release announcing that the story will begin in May 2012′s “Dark Horse Presents” No. 12.

“The new stories crush anvils,” Mike Baron said in the release.

- Matt Price

Archie #30 (1948): If Betty can sew  a patch onto Archie’s pants, she can take him to the dance.  Did people really do things like this in the 1940s?

Betty and Veronica #192 (Dec. 1971) Veronica ditches the gang, who are cleaning up the river in Riverdale, when she has a chance to appear in a fashion shoot.

Star Wars Legacy vol. 2: Shards: This second volume of “Legacy” does a lot to set up the world of the “Star Wars” universe, 125 years after “Return of the Jedi.”  Cade Skywalker, Luke’s grandson, is the series’ main character, though he’s less active in this volume than the first.   Collects issues 8, 4, 9, 10, 13, 11, and 12 of the series, originally published in 2007.

The Unknown 1-4 and The Unknown Devil Made Flesh 1-4: Two supernatural-style mysteries by writer Mark Waid and artist Minck Oosterveer.  Oosterveer sadly died earlier this year.
In “The Unknown,” from Boom! Studios, master detective Catherine Allingham learns she only has months to live.  She chooses to use that remaining time examining seemingly unsolvable mysteries with her ex-bouncer apprentice, James Doyle.

Sanctuary #1: Stephen Coughlin’s digital comic from SLG features a sanctuary for animals with a dark mystery behind it — it reminded me somewhat of “Lost.”

Batman: No Man’s Land Vol. 1: Batman must deal with Gotham City after a terrible earthquake leads to the evacuation of most of the city.  This volume includes Batman: No Man’s Land #1, Batman #563-564, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83-84, Detective Comics #730-731 and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #116.    While the story is in some ways unbelievable, the storytellers do a good job making this altered Gotham and its residents part of a compelling story of Batman and his allies in a new, difficult circumstance.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,847. Still to go: 164.

"Conan the Barbarian" No. 1, written by Roy Thomas, from Marvel Comics

Missouri-born comic book writer and editor Roy Thomas broke into comics in the mid-1960s, and went on to write some of the comic industry’s best-known characters, from the Avengers to the X-Men to Batman. But among his best-loved works are his comic-book adaptations of the Robert E. Howard pulp tales of Conan the Barbarian. The success of the Marvel Comics Conan led to the Arnold Schwarzenegger films of the 1980s, which had some involvement from Thomas.

“Conan” remains a popular property — the latest film, “Conan the Barbarian,” starring Jason Momoa, was released on DVD this week, and the Thomas-written 12-issue series “Conan: Road of Kings” is currently being released by Dark Horse Comics.

Robert E. Howard, the author and creator of “Conan,” launched the character in the 1932 issue of the pulp magazine “Weird Tales.” Howard was born in Peaster, Texas, in 1906 and lived in Texas and western Oklahoma as a youth before settling in Cross Plains, Texas, in 1919.

Marvel Comics introduced its version of Conan in 1970, written by Thomas and drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith. Marvel Comics, headed up by editor Stan Lee, had plenty of success with superhero characters like Spider-Man in the late 1960s, but Thomas and others thought the company should tackle other genres as well.

“I felt we needed to branch out and do other fields, and our readers wanted us to as well, and were telling us that in

Roy Thomas. Photo credit: Alan Waite, 2007.

letters,” Thomas said in a recent telephone interview. “Stan and I decided we should go after a sword and sorcery hero of the Conan variety, and luckily we ended up with Conan, which was the best thing that could have happened either to us, to me personally, to Marvel Comics, or for that matter, given how things have gone since then, to the Robert E. Howard estate and to Conan.”

Thomas’ first artist on “Conan the Barbarian” was Windsor-Smith, but he wasn’t the first choice for the book. The London-born artist had been in the U.S. working for Marvel, but legal requirements had moved him back to the U.K. Since he was a relatively new artist, he was available more cheaply than Thomas’ first choice, artist John Buscema.

“The publisher wanted to get back the little bit of money he was paying for the rights,” Thomas said. Given the budget, Thomas “wanted somebody who I thought would really throw himself into it and have some enthusiasm for it.” He thought Windsor-Smith would have that enthusiasm.

After a few hiccups in the first issue, Thomas and Windsor-Smith became a popular team, turning out a successful run of award-winning comics. Conan’s fantasy world came to visual life via Windsor-Smith’s art, with Thomas capably adapting Howard tales and creating new adventures. In 1971, the comic book won the Academy of Comic Book Arts Awards’ Best Continuing Feature.

Two hardcover archives featuring the stories of Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith were released in 2010.

Buscema later followed Windsor-Smith for a long run on “Conan.” Thomas would go on to write more than 200 comics featuring Conan.

Twenty-one softcover volumes of the “Chronicles of Conan,” reprinting Marvel Comics “Conan” series, have been released, with a 22nd set for December release. Ten volumes of the black-and-white “Savage Sword of Conan” reprint Marvel’s black-and-white magazine series featuring the barbarian.

“The Conan the Barbarian comic book and also the Savage Sword of Conan black and white magazine that I launched were quite important to the company,” Thomas said. “They were two of the big moneymakers. I think Conan probably made as much money, in terms of just selling comic-books, as any other character for about a decade in there.”

Matt and Kyle take a look at the Kindle Fire’s options for comics; the Avengers release new posters; and Roy Thomas talks about Conan the Barbarian in this week’s comics podcast.

FIRE AWAY
The Kindle Fire offers comics via graphic novel sales on Amazon.com and the comiXology app that comes pre-installed on the tablet. The comiXology reader links to any existing comiXology account. Its reader is preferable to the Fire’s native browser for comics, which will feature several DC graphic novels.

NEW AVENGERS POSTER

A brand new banner featuring the core four members of “The Avengers” — Captain America, Bruce Banner, Iron Man and Thor, from left to right — has premiered over at Yahoo Movies.

http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/movie-stills/gallery/3403/the-avengers-stills#info

CONAN GIVEAWAY

Lionsgate Home Entertainment is  releasing  Conan the Barbarian on 3D/2D Blu-ray Combo Pack, 2D   Blu-ray Disc, and DVD this November 22nd. Starring Jason Momoa, Rachel   Nichols, Stephen Lang, Rose McGowan, and Ron Perlman, this 2011  re-make  includes audio commentaries, The Conan Legacy  featurette, a making-of  and more. Longtime “Conan” comics writer appears on the special features for the film.

We have a copy of the  Conan the Phenomenon: The Legacy  of Robert E. Howard Fantasy  Icon hardcover art history book as well as the Conan the Barbarian the Blu-ray Combo Pack to give away.  For a chance to win, answer our question of the day:  Which Conan is your favorite?  The character from the books?  Arnold from the films?  The Barry Windsor-Smith or John Buscema version from the comics?  The more recent version from the Dark Horse Comics?  Or Jason Momoa in the new film?

ROY THOMAS

Speaking of Conan, I talked to Roy Thomas, who brought Conan to Marvel Comics in the 1970s and has been writing “Road of Kings” for Dark Horse.  He talked about the early days of the Conan comic.

He said he was hoping to expand Marvel’s reach beyond superheroes into sword and sorcery, and licensing Conan was a home run. The new “Conan the Barbarian” is out on DVD and Blu-ray today. Look for more of the interview with Thomas in Friday’s Weekend Look.

WINNER WINNER ROBOT CHICKEN DINNER

We’ve chosen our winner for the Robot Chicken season 5 DVD  —  the DVD goes to MovieHunter1888.

REVIEW FILE: Justice League 3, Captain America #4, Fear Itself 7.3, Avengers #19, Batman #3
Comics read in 2011: 1,748. Still to go: 263

According to the Comics Reporter, it’s the 63rd birthday of popular horror artist Bernie Wrightson.

He’s known as the co-creator of “Swamp Thing” and for his work on comic book titles from “House of Mystery” to “Batman: The Cult.”

I read “Batman/Aliens” from 1997 last night, a two-part series written by Ron Marz with art by Bernie Wrightson, and Wrightson does as well as anyone in making the alien creatures of the “Aliens” universe truly disturbing.

His work on “Creepy” and as an illustrator of “Frankenstein” have been reprinted in the past year, and are worth seeking out.  Wrightson has recently worked with writer Steve Niles on projects including “The Ghoul” and “Doc Macabre.”

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,608  Still to go: 403.

The early tales of the B.P.R.D. (following their appearances in “Hellboy” comics) are collected in a hardcover edition from Dark Horse.  The Bureau of Paranormal Research and Development investigates the supernatural mysteries that are beyond the expertise of regular agents.   When Hellboy quits the team, Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman must run the team and protect the world from a growing menace of a strange invasion of frogs.

On the hot plains of Texas, in the wildcatting town of Cross Plains, a barbarian was born who has now lived in our imaginations for nearly 80 years.

Robert E. Howard, the author and creator of “Conan,” launched the character in the 1932 issue of the pulp magazine “Weird Tales.” Howard was born in Peaster, Texas, in 1906 and lived in Texas and western Oklahoma as a youth before settling in Cross Plains, Texas, in 1919.

The Cimmerian barbarian is returning to movie theaters today, in the new “Conan the Barbarian” film starring Jason Momoa. Through the years, Conan has been featured in books, comics, movies and television. The 1982 “Conan the Barbarian” movie helped launch Arnold Schwarzenegger to superstardom.

Howard also created the Atlantean King Kull, Puritan adventurer Solomon Kane and the Pict warrior Bran Mak Morn. Howard is often credited with creating the “sword and sorcery,” or epic fantasy, genre.

Howard’s life, and the Conan’s path to literary immortality, are recounted in a 2007 book from Dark Horse Books, “Conan the Phenomenon,” by Paul M. Sammon.

Sammon covers the early days of the pulps, the reprints and revivals of the 1960s, the successful Marvel Comics of the 1970s, the films of the 1980s, the legal wrangling of the 1990s, and the return to publishing in the 2000s.

Dark Horse Comics, the current licensors of Conan in comic books, continue new stories of the barbarian, along with reprints of the material from the 1970s and 1980s.

Writer Kurt Busiek and artist Cary Nord were the team chosen to relaunch Conan in November of 2003, with a 25-cent issue number zero reintroducing the character to modern comic-book audiences. The 25-cent price tag was the same price as the first appearance of Conan in “Weird Tales.”

Busiek said in a news release in 2003 how excited he was to revive the character, calling “Conan” “a dream assignment.

“It’s got everything — a great lead character, exciting adventures, a vast historical sweep, a fascinating world that involves everything from war to thievery to piracy, from high seas adventure to desert banditry, from sorcery to romance to all-out action and back again.”

The zero issue, called “Conan the Legend,” won the 2004 Eisner Award for best single issue. Busiek wrote the title from 2003-2006, and his stories are collected in five volumes from Dark Horse, numbered zero through four. Tim Truman followed Busiek as writer of “Conan,” and wrote the entire second ongoing “Conan” series from Dark Horse, “Conan the Cimmerian.” Truman’s comics have been collected in six volumes from Dark Horse.

Roy Thomas, who wrote many of the Marvel Comics adaptations of “Conan,” has returned to the character for the current series, “Road of Kings.”

Dark Horse also continues its reprint line; two hardcover archives featuring the stories of Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith were released in 2010. Twenty-one softcover volumes of the “Chronicles of Conan,” reprinting Marvel Comics “Conan” series, have been released, as have nine volumes of the black-and-white “Savage Sword of Conan,” reprinting Marvel’s magazine series featuring the barbarian. A tenth volume is set for September release.

Dark Horse has adapted the new film in the trade paperback “Conan: The Mask of Acheron,” which is on sale now.

More information can be found at www.conan.com and www.darkhorse.com/Zones/Conan.

- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

CHRIS HEMSWORTH STARS IN THOR, READIES FOR THE AVENGERS

“Thor” star Chris Hemsworth talks getting ready for the Avengers and a possible Thor sequel.

Chris Hemsworth (AP)

“I had such an amazing time … can’t wait for Avengers, and the idea of doing more of them is incredibly exciting. I really do love the character, and I’m excited to see what other directions we could take it,” Hemsworth said in a phone interview.”I’ve hung out with Chris Evans a few times, and talked about the film and how excited we are, and the same with Downey, I’ve bumped into him at a couple of events,” he said. “We’ve all seen these characters come to life individually, and now to mesh it all together is going to be a fun ride.”

NEW GREEN LANTERN TRAILER

Warner Bros. has released a new trailer for “Green Lantern,” opening June 17 and starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, chosen to be a Green Lantern, a member of an intergalactic peacekeeping force. Warner Bros. seems to be upping the epic feel for this one, as you get a sense of Hal Jordan as the newest member of this awesome peacekeeping force.

Speaking of Green Lantern, he’ll have a comic book featured in Saturday’s

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

For the 10th year, comic book shops and participating locations around the world will give away comics to customers and visitors. This Saturday marks the 10th celebration of Free Comic Book Day. Characters such as Spider-Man, Thor, Green Lantern and the Smurfs star in special comics, sold at low cost to stores, to be given away free on this special day.

Free Comic Book Day was created by Concord, Calif., comic book retailer Joe Field, ComicsPRO trade organization president and owner of Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff.

Field said about 2.7 million comics will be available for giveaway Saturday. Retailers have given away more than 25 million comics since the first giveaway in 2002. More than a dozen stores in the Oklahoma City area are participating.

REVIEW FILE: Axe Cop 3, Fear Itself 2.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 594  Still to go: 1417

Some quick looks at comic-books read recently:

Axe Cop: Bad Guy Earth #1

You absolutely need to buy this one.  Written by a six-year-old and drawn by his 30 year old brother, “Axe Cop” features, perhaps obviously, an axe-wielding police officer who fights dinosaurs with machine guns for arms, alien invasions, and about anything else he might encounter.  It’s hilarious and awesome.

5 Ronin #1

Kyle loved this one, but I didn’t totally follow it – though I think part of my problem was thinking it was going to tie into the regular Marvel universe.   Written by Peter Milligan with art by Tomm Coker, this issue details the character Wolverine as if he had existed in samurai-era Japan.

Avengers Academy #10
Continues to be a really good “Avengers” title with a mix of the classic characters and the new trainees.   Here, we get some insight on what Speedball has been going through since inadvertently setting off the superhero Civil War.  Christos Gage writes and Sean Chen draws; with major “Avengers”-related plot elements in this issue, you shouldn’t be skipping this series.

Captain America and Falcon (One-Shot)
Though titled “Captain America and Falcon,” it’s mostly Falcon, but that’s OK, because the winged hero deserves to get the spotlight once in a while.  Rob Williams writes; Rebekah Isaacs draws.  I maintain she’s going to be a star someday, so the issue is worth picking up to be in on her early work.

Wulf #1
Based on the short-lived Atlas/Seaboard line of the 1970s, “Wulf” is reinvented by Steve Niles and Nat Jones for this new line.     Wulf is a Conan-type barbarian protecting his world from the very dark and creepy villain Sanjon.   The issue is mostly setup, but still well-done.  Nat Jones is an artist to watch, as well.

From the back-issue bins:
Power and Glory 1-4, Holiday Special
Written and drawn by Howard Chaykin as part of Malibu’s creator-owned “Bravura” line, the series features the dopey, narcissistic superhero American powerhouse, and the government agent Michael Gorski, who has to constantly bail the Powerhouse out of trouble.   If you like Chaykin’s cynical, seedy worldview, you’ll probably like this, though the Holiday Special is pretty skippable.   Dynamite released this as a trade paperback in 2009.

Breed 1-5
Jim Starlin wrote and drew this miniseries, also for Malibu’s Bravura.  A young man discovers he’s half-demon (ie, half-”breed”) and tries to discover his origins with the help of his sister.   This is pretty dark, bloody and depressing stuff, but Starlin writes and draws it well.   (A sequel came out shortly after; a second sequel is set for later this year from Image Comics.)

Captain America 103-104
A Stan Lee-Jack Kirby two-parter featuring Captain America and Sharon Carter versus the menace of the Red Skull.

Marvel Tails #1 and Peter Porker, The Spectacular Spider-Ham #1
Two parody-type comics featuring a pig dressed as Spider-Man.  There’s actually a bit of a Carl Barks quality in the second story.  Funny in places, probably funnier the more you’re familiar with 1980s Marvel Comics.

Comics read in 2011: 330  Still to go: 1681.

The Mark Verheiden-written “Predator” comics trilogy is reprinted in the first “Predator Omnibus” from Dark Horse, along with some other early “Predator” comics from the publisher.

“Concrete Jungle” – printed in comics as simply the first “Predator” miniseries – is a sequel to the film “Predator,” in which Detective Schaefer, brother of “Dutch” Schaefer from the film, faces off against Predators in NYC.

Schaefer’s partner Detective Rasche isn’t as gung-ho or buff as Schaefer, but his loyalty is key to Schaefer’s battle.  Over the course of the comic, Schaefer faces off with a Colombian drug lord and has conflicts with the government, who want to hand him over to the Predators.

General Philips is the only character from the film to also appear in the comic.

Chris Warner and Ron Randall provide the art.    This series likely provided the inspiration for “Predator 2.”

In “Cold War,” the Predators have landed in Siberia – probably by mistake, since the creatures seem to hate the cold.

The U.S. and the Russians both want to find the downed ship and claim the technology, and Schaefer is dragged into the conflict against his will.  Rasche again must step in to help his friend.  Randall again provided pencils.

In “Dark River,” the final of the Schaefer trilogy, Schaefer heads to South America to face a Predator he thought he had killed, that has now gone insane and is behaving against its own rules.  This one suffers a bit from the lack of Detective Rasche for balance, though it’s still a solid mini.

All the Schaefer issues work to some degree, though secondary characters drop off with little explanation.   Even Schaefer’s own quest is left somewhat hanging at the end of “Dark River.”  While there’s plenty of violence, it’s consistent with the world of the film.

The two-issue miniseries “Predator: Bloody Sands of Time” by Dan Barry and Chris Warner is collected, featuring an investigation into the Predators’ appearances during war time throughout history.

The omnibus also collects “Blood Feud,” “Rite of Passage” and “Pride at Nghasa” from the Dark Horse Comics anthology series.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 292. Still to go: 1719.

With the recent discussion of a possible RoboCop statue in Detroit being in the news, I was inspired to dig out the 1992 series “RoboCop: Prime Suspect” from Dark Horse Comics.

“Prime Suspect” was a four-issue miniseries written by John Arcudi with art by John Paul Leon and Jeff Albrecht. In the series, a prominent anti-RoboCop advocate is gunned down, and ballistics appear to match RoboCop’s gun.   Since RoboCop is supposed to be the only one who can handle his gun, he becomes the “Prime Suspect.”

There’s a trial, and shady dealings and intrigue and of course big shootouts with huge weapons.

John Paul Leon, whose style I remembered being closer to Mike Mignola, has a cartoonier style in this series that reminded me a bit of the Pander Bros.   The painted covers by Nelson are a different style than the interiors, but are very cool.

The trade paperback of these issues is long out of print, but given the amount of copies printed in the 1990s, tracking down the issues is probably not too difficult.  I enjoyed the series pretty well, and fans of Arcudi will likely see some of the hallmarks of his style evident here: over-the-top violence with a dose of humor.

Robocop had become a Marvel Comic around the time of “RoboCop 2.”  The license went from Marvel to Dark Horse in 1992.  The Dark Horse miniseries “Prime Suspect” followed a lead-up in “Dark Horse Presents” and the high-profile “RoboCop vs. Terminator” by Frank Miller and Walt Simonson.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 275. Still to go: 1736.

Of the “Star Wars” comics not featuring the stars of the original trilogy, this is one I’d always heard good reviews about. Now that I’ve read it, I’ll concur: “Crimson Empire” is a very enjoyable expanded universe story.

The six-issue series looks at an elite group that didn’t get a lot of development in the films – the Emperor’s elite Royal Guard.

Written by Mike Richardson and Randy Stradley (Aliens vs. Predator), with artwork by Paul Gulacy (Master of Kung-Fu) and P. Craig Russell (Elric: Stormbringer), “Crimson Empire” has a creative team that is very lauded in the comics industry.

Kir Kanos, one of the last two surviving members of Emperor Palpatine’s Royal Guard, is on the run.  After the emperor’s death, Kanos is thought too dangerous to live.  As a fugitive, he’s seeking revenge on those who betrayed the emperor.  But being opposed to the new Empire regime draws him in with some members of the Rebel Alliance, who believe Kanos’ training could be of help to them.

Flashbacks include showing how the Royal Guard were chosen and trained; this is a harsh world that shows the tyranny of the Empire.

With plenty of action, twists and surprising developments throughout, “Crimson Empire” is recommended.  The six issue series has been collected in a trade paperback.

This book spawned a sequel, “Crimson Empire II,” and a third, “Crimson Empire III” is said to be in the works for 2011.

- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 237  Still to go: 1774

Terminator: Secondary Objectives #1

Terminator: Secondary Objectives #1  (July 1991 cover date)
Written by James Robinson, art by Paul Gulacy.
I guess 1991 was 20 years ago – this one seems kind of dated, but it’s still pretty good. James Robinson writes a pretty cracking story, and Paul Gulacy art is always worth picking up.  The second “Terminator” series from Dark Horse, this features a group of Terminators sent to the past to take out a now-pregnant Sarah Connor.   The group of heroes from the first Dark Horse “Terminator” series, part of a resistance group from the future, aim to stop them.

- Matt Price

Comics read in 2,011: 121. Still to go: 1890.

Here are my selections for the best 10 graphic novels of 2010. I’ve limited the list to stories that first appeared in a graphic novel format, as opposed to collections of periodically released comic books.

Next week, return for the top 10 periodical comics of 2010.

1. “The Outfit” by Darwyn Cooke (IDW).

IDW released the second adaptation of Richard Stark’s “Parker” novels by Cooke (“Justice League: The New Frontier).

When the syndicate gets wind that Parker has survived, they send someone after him. But Parker decides to take matters into his own hands and hit the Outfit himself.

Cooke perfectly translates the world of the “Parker” books into illustrated fiction.

2. “Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour” by Bryan Lee O’Malley (Oni Press).

Scott Pilgrim received a lot of hype this year for the film directed by Edgar Wright, but he also finished his story in the world of graphic novels this year, with O’Malley giving just the right touch to the final stanza of the 20-something slacker who found love.

3. “X’ed Out” by Charles Burns (Pantheon).

The “Black Hole” creator shows a “Tintin” influence in his latest sci-fi/horror epic. The first of several planned installments, “X’ed Out” follows Doug, a young man who wakes up with a head injury who can’t remember his past except in disjointed flashbacks.

4. “Acme Novelty Library #20/Lint” by Chris Ware (Drawn and Quarterly).

As part of his ongoing “Rusty Brown” storyline, Ware introduces us to Jordan Wellington Lint. Each page provides a glimpse at Lint’s internal life year by year, as he grows into a privileged businessman.

5. “Bodyworld” by Dash Shaw (Pantheon).

Dash Shaw creates a trippy, futuristic tale set after the second Civil War where a new drug allows the user to feel the reactions of others.

6. “Meanwhile” by Jason Shiga (Abrams).

An all-ages graphic novel with a story that can branch in multiple directions, “Meanwhile” is innovative in form and charming in content.

7. “Market Day” by James Sturm (Drawn and Quarterly).

Economic forces disrupt the career and life of an Eastern European rug-maker in a graphic novel by James Sturm set a century ago, with relevance today.

8. “Grandville Mon Amour” by Bryan Talbot (Dark Horse).

In an alternate 19th century where Britain lost the Napoleonic War, LeBrock is a detective in a world of talking animals. LeBrock attempts to recapture a former British patriot turned killer, and finds a conspiracy that goes deep into the government.

9. “Return of the Dapper Men” by Jim McCann and Janet K. Lee (Archaia Entertainment).

An art nouveau fantasy with elements of steampunk features 314 “dapper men” who fall from the sky to restart the world of Anorev.

10. “Picture This: The Near-Sighted Monkey Book” by Lynda Barry (Drawn and Quarterly).

A sequel of sorts to “What It Is,” “Picture This” is an examination of drawing and artwork with elements of memoir and a how-to book. Anyone can draw, and should, the book posits, to express our feelings, to deal with our emotions or just to have fun.

- By Matthew Price
WORD BALLOONS
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Felicia Day

In just the latest sign that geeks rule the earth, Felicia Day has topped Katy Perry with the No. 1 best-selling pop music video on iTunes in the United States and United Kingdom.

On Aug. 4, “Game On,” a Bollywood-themed gamer anthem by Day and the cast of the Web series “The Guild” topped Perry’s “California Gurls” on the chart. It’s the second music video for the “Guild” crew, who last year released “Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?”

“The Guild” is in its fourth season online as a Web series; the third season was recently released on DVD. “The Guild” follows the wacky real-world antics of a group of gamers who play a “World of Warcraft”-like game.

In a recent interview with The Oklahoman, Day, who created, writes and stars in the Web series, talked about the differences between creating a Web series and a traditional television show.

“The privilege I have with a Web series is that it doesn’t have to be as episodic as TV would be, where characters kind of stay emotionally static, and they go through different ideas every week,” Day said. “I think it’s important that like, just in real life, people are changed by what happens to them.”

She also said because people tend to watch Web series on a browser, they need to stay shorter and more on point.

“You can’t have as much space or time to tell the stories,” she said. “So you really have to kind of be ruthless and say we have to cut down to the bone.”

At Comic-Con International, it was announced that further “Guild” comics would be released this fall, following the well-received miniseries written by Day. She talked about writing the “Guild” miniseries and how it focused on some of the drama behind the characters.

“The comic, especially the way it started, is a lot more dramatic than some people actually expected,” Day said. “Because to me, these characters do come from a place of loneliness, and that’s why they’re together. So there is a hint of reality and a little bit of sadness in everybody. And for me, that’s kind of the basis of everybody finding themselves online.”

Day said she was pleased with the response, especially from comic-book fans.

“The biggest compliment is when somebody who’s a hard-core comic reader (gives) me a compliment, because I feel like comic guys and geeks are the most hardcore of the bunch, and I know they aren’t going to cut me any slack,” she said.

This fall, five one-shots featuring the main characters of “The Guild” will be released by Dark Horse. The first one-shot, “Vork,” will be co-written by Day and Jeff Lewis, who plays the Vork character.

“There is a lot more to be told in that format; because the great thing about comics is you don’t have to worry about the production values or how expensive something’s going to be to shoot, you just write it,” Day said.

- By Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman

Dark Horse announced plans to team up with TNT to create a comic-book prequel to Noah Wyle’s new series “Falling Skies.”  The comic will appear in a convention-exclusive print edition and a web edition.

In “Falling Skies,” aliens have invaded, and a handful of survivors must battle for the fate of humanity.

This fall at New York Comic Con (Oct. 8-10), TNT and Dark Horse will distribute a 12-14 page comic book that tells the harrowing backstory of the alien invasion.  And starting Nov. 1,. fans can download an extended webcomic version through tnt.tv, darkhorse.com and iTunes, with new installments posted every two weeks.

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for the full release.

JULY 22ND, SAN DIEGO, CA–TNT is teaming up with publisher Dark Horse Comics to create a comic book and webcomic prequel to FALLING SKIES, the eagerly anticipated new series starring Noah Wyle (ER, TNT’s The Librarian movies) and produced by DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg. The comic book and webcomic are slated to be unveiled at New York Comic Con in October. FALLING SKIES, which is set to premiere on TNT in summer 2011, is a gripping drama that envisions a world where aliens have invaded, and the fate of humanity lies in the hands of a few survivors.

During New York Comic Con (Oct. 8-10), TNT and Dark Horse will distribute an exclusive, special-edition 12-14 page comic book that tells the harrowing backstory of the alien invasion. Beginning Nov. 1, fans will be able to download an extended webcomic version through tnt.tv, darkhorse.com and iTunes, with new installments posted every two weeks.

“The FALLING SKIES comic book and webcomic provide a great way for TNT to ramp up excitement for FALLING SKIES, while also providing a thrilling backstory to the series’ intriguing premise and characters,” said Tricia Melton, senior vice president of entertainment marketing for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “We look forward to working with Dark Horse Comics as we begin the FALLING SKIES invasion.”

In addition to the comic book and webcomic, Dark Horse is collaborating with TNT on the FALLING SKIES presence at this month’s Comic-Con International in San Diego. The event will include appearances and autograph sessions with series stars Wyle and Moon Bloodgood (Terminator Salvation), along with co-executive producer and writer Mark Verheiden (Heroes, Battlestar Galactica). On Friday, July 23, from 2-3 p.m. (PT), the three will appear at Dark Horse’s Comic-Con International booth, where they will sign exclusive FALLING SKIES posters. Then from 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. (PT), Wyle, Bloodgood and Verheiden will participate in a Q&A panel session in Room 6A.

In FALLING SKIES, Wyle stars as a former college professor who becomes the leader of a group of soldiers and civilians struggling against an occupying alien force. Bloodgood co-stars as Anne Glass, a therapist who works with the surviving children to help them cope with the traumatic situation. The series also stars Drew Roy (Lincoln Heights) as Hal and Maxim Knight (Brothers & Sisters) as Matt, Tom’s two sons; and Seychelle Gabriel (Weeds) as Lourdes, an orphaned teenager who helps run the group’s commissary. Will Patton (Armageddon, TNT’s Into the West) plays a fierce leader of the resistance.

FALLING SKIES is executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, along with DreamWorks Television heads Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank and screenwriter Robert Rodat. Rodat, who earned an Oscar® nomination for his screenplay for Saving Private Ryan, wrote the pilot from an idea he co-conceived with Spielberg. Verheiden and Greg Beeman (Heroes, Smallville) are co-executive producers. The pilot was directed by Carl Franklin (One False Move, Out of Time).

Dark Horse Comics has announced it will share a first look at its new Turok, Son of Stone comic at its Friday panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

The comic, set to ship in October, is written by Jim Shooter, with art by Eduardo Francisco (Mass Effect: Incursion), and covers by Raymond Swanland (Magnus: Robot Fighter, Aliens vs. Predator).

“One continuum over from ours, Earth is still in its Cretaceous Period,” Shooter said in a news release. “However, a drifting rift in spacetime is sweeping things from anywhen here to there. It’s a dangerous place. How strong, how tough, how smart would you have to be to survive, to thrive, to become a force to be reckoned with? This is a story about about a fearless man who will find a way. I love this series.”

The Dark Horse publishing panel is at 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 23rd in Room 3.

- Matt Price
Click past the cut for the full release.

JULY 21, SAN DIEGO, CA–Building on the success of the Dark Horse Gold Key line, today the Company announced that it would provide the comic world with the very first look at the highly-anticipated Turok, Son of Stone®, comic at this week’s Comic-Con International 2010 in San Diego, CA. News of the line was first announced at Comic Con International 2009, and fans have been anxiously awaiting details ever since.

Perhaps the best-known character in the iconic Gold Key line, Turok has been highly visible in the public eye in recent years, following its incredibly successful video game franchise, as well as the acclaimed feature length animated, Turok: Son of Stone.

Now, Turok returns to the comic book world helmed by comic book veteran, Jim Shooter, with art by Eduardo Francisco (Mass Effect: Incursion), and incredible covers by Raymond Swanland (Magnus: Robot Fighter, Aliens vs. Predator), arriving in your local comic shop this October.

“Turok was one of my favorite comics in my youth,” said Mike Richardson, president of Dark Horse Comics. “We’re having great fun re-imagining the series with Jim and we are building up to some great surprises for those familiar with the character as well as new readers.”

“One continuum over from ours, Earth is still in its Cretaceous Period,” Jim Shooter explained. “However, a drifting rift in spacetime is sweeping things from anywhen here to there. It’s a dangerous place. How strong, how tough, how smart would you have to be to survive, to thrive, to become a force to be reckoned with? This is a story about about a fearless man who will find a way. I love this series.”

Fans are encouraged to attend the Dark Horse publishing panel on Friday, July 23rd at 11:30am in Room 3, for exclusive news on Turok, and rest of the Gold Key titles.

The Comics Reporter has a great remembrance of the life and career of Al Williamson, who died June 12.   Williamson’s art – from Flash Gordon to Star Wars to Secret Agent X-9 to a host of Marvel Comics inking assignments – was fantastic throughout his long career.   He was 79.

My first exposure to Williamson was his art on the “Return of the Jedi” adaptation from Marvel Comics.  It was also either my first or nearly my first exposure to Archie Goodwin, the writer, who was from Oklahoma.  I read and re-read those comics throughout the summer of 1984, and by summer’s end, I was not only a “Star Wars” fan, but also a fan of Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson.  (And the Bill Sienkiewicz covers were pretty good, too.)  While I don’t believe the “Return of the Jedi” comics are available online, fans can see Williamson’s art from the “Empire Strikes Back” adaptation, which many fans prefer,  online at StarWars.com.

I’ve read many Al Williamson stories since, and even owned a bit of his original art, and am always amazed at the mastery of the craft that he had.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in the cartoonist’s memory be made to either The Joe Kubert School, 37 Myrtle Avenue, Dover, NJ 07801, Attn: Al Williamson Scholarship Fund; or Yesteryears Day Program, 2801 Wayne Street, Endwell, NY 13760.

- Matt Price

From Dark Horse:

JUNE 2, HOLLYWOOD, CA—Warner Bros. Pictures has announced today that the Academy Award–winning writer Dustin Lance Black will both write and direct the movie adaptation of Matt Kindt’s groundbreaking graphic novel, 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man.

3 Story is a modern fable that explores the life of a giant man, Craig Pressgang, whose strange medical condition causes continuous growth. Told by the three women who knew him best, 3 Story follows Craig’s amazing journey from birth to his eventual three-story height.

Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson will produce the film, with Keith Goldberg as executive producer. Dark Horse Entertainment is currently developing R.I.P.D. at Universal, with Ryan Reynolds attached to star. Dark Horse is also developing The Umbrella Academy, The Secret, and Criminal Macabre at Universal, and Damn Nation at Paramount.

“Both Lance and Matt are very special talents,” said Richardson. “We couldn’t be happier about bringing them together on this unique project.”

Dark Horse Entertainment is represented by Endeavor and Gotham Group, with legal representation by attorney Keith Fleer.

Felicia Day of “The Guild” talks Season Three of the series, and the origin of the Guild in the comic book series.  The first issue is now also available on the iPhone.

In Captain America movie news, Tommy Lee Jones has reportedly signed on to the film, and Dominic Cooper tells Salon.com that he’ll play Howard Stark, father of Tony Stark in the film.
Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created Superman; find out about the other superhero they created in a new book from Feral House.
In the review file: Superman: War of the Supermen #4, X-Force #27 and Mystery Society #1.

Click past the cut for a preview of “War of the Supermen” #4.

- Matt Price

According to intomobile, the Dark Horse Comic book Dr. Horrible, based on Joss Whedon’s web series Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog, will be coming to the iPhone.  The comic was written by Zack Whedon and drawn by Joelle Jones.

The issue will be released March 24th in app form for $.99.  It shows how a young, impressionable, but brilliant Dr. Horrible was drawn into a world of crime.

- Matt Price

Today’s graphic novel recommendation: Grandville. It’s like Sherlock Holmes meets James Bond by way of Quentin Tarantino, starring anthropomorphic animals in an alternate Napoleonic Europe.

It’s by Bryan Talbot, who most recently wowed everybody with “Alice in Sunderland” and is the creator of “The Tale of One Bad Rat” and “Tales of Luther Arkwright.”

Grandville stars Detective Inspector LeBrock, a badger with a keen eye for detail who’s handy with both guns and fists.   This Scotland Yard inspector lives in a Britain that’s become a footnote, connected to France by railway, where Paris is the center of the steampunk European world.

A murder puts LeBrock and his assistant on the trail of a giant conspiracy that could affect the entire Napoleonic Empire.

This book works on a number of levels, with interesting allusions to children’s literature and current events, and is beautifully drawn besides.   Talbot’s storytelling remains top-notch.

Talbot is already at work on a sequel, Grandville Mon Amour, which is set for a 2010 release, according to fan site bryan-talbot.com.

- Matt Price

Old-school Valiant Comics fans rejoice.  Jim Shooter is joining forces with Dark Horse Comics to again work on Turok, Doctor Solar, and Magnus Robot Fighter.   Also included in the announcement was Mighty Samson, a former Gold Key character.

Dark Horse plans to develop new comic books and graphic novels with these characters, with Shooter as the head writer.  Shooter wrote many of the classic Valiant Comics issues of “Solar” and “Magnus.”   Further characters and writers are yet to be announced.

“It’s great to be at Dark Horse, working with Mike Richardson, world-class creator, honorable gentleman and industry powerhouse,” said Jim Shooter in a release. “It’s great to be reunited with Magnus, Solar, Turok, Samson and the other wonderful Gold Key properties. The opportunity is tremendous and the time is ripe. Let’s do it.”

Shooter was editor-in-chief of Marvel for a nine-year tenure that was responsible for hits including Frank Miller’s Daredevil and Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s Uncanny X-Men.  Shooter launched Valiant Comics in the early 1990s.

“Jim and I share a great affection for these terrific characters. We have some very exciting ideas on how to introduce them to a whole new generation of fans.” said Mike Richardson, president of Dark Horse Comics, in a release.

I don’t know the legalese of whether these characters can be based on their Valiant counterparts, or if this will allow reprints of the Valiant material with these characters.  Obviously, some of the Valiant properties have been reprinted recently by the new Valiant Entertainment, which is also involved in bringing the Harbinger property to the big screen.   Anthologies of the original Turok, Magnus and Doctor Solar are currently available from Dark Horse.

Following are descriptions of the characters from Dark Horse’s release.

Turok®

An original comic book hero, Turok is best known today for a successful video game franchise boasting more than five million units sold since the first game was introduced in the 1990s. The legend of the brave and ruthless dinosaur-hunter has lived on for more than thirty years in comic book series from Dell Comics, Gold Key Comics and Valiant. Anthologies of the original classic comics are now available from Dark Horse Comics.

Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom

Doctor Solar must find a way to become normal again after surviving an explosion that leaves him with the power to control atomic energy. When danger and disaster threaten the innocent, Solar leaps into action as the “Man of the Atom.” One of Gold Key Comics’ most popular titles in the 1960s, the original nuclear-powered superhero reached legendary status by the 1990s in new comics from Valiant. The original classic comics now appear in hardcover anthologies published by Dark Horse Comics.

Magnus, Robot Fighter

Haling from the year 4,000 A.D. is the stalwart hero of humanity, Magnus, Robot Fighter. These gripping adventure stories, in which a human who battles evil robots in the sprawling futuristic city of North Am, elevated the comic book medium when they debuted in the 1960s from Gold Key Comics, and captured the imagination of millions in new comics published thirty years later by Valiant. The original science-fiction classics now appear in hardcover anthologies published by Dark Horse Comics.

Mighty Samson

A popular Gold Key Comics character from the 1960s and 70s, the post-apocalyptic adventures of Mighty Samson are set in the land of N’Yark, an earth devastated by nuclear war. Amazingly large and strong, Samson uses his mutant strength only for good-and to protect his friends, Sharmain and Mindor, responsible for saving his life.

Turok, Son of Stone; Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom; Magnus, Robot Fighter and Mighty Samson are part of the Classic Media portfolio of properties. For more information, please go to: www.classicmedia.tv.

- Matt Price

SAN DIEGO, CA-Following the release of the highly anticipated Dethklok vs. The Goon, Dark Horse Comics and Adult Swim announce a brand-new comics series based on the immensely popular animated show Metalocalypse. The band’s five members-Nathan Explosion, William “Murderface,” Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Toki Wartooth, and Pickles-will be featured in a full publishing program created by series co-creator Brendon Small and a collaborative team of Metalocalypse and Dark Horse artists and writers.

Co-created by Tommy Blacha and Brendon Small, the Metalocalypse television series follows the on- and off-stage adventures of the world’s most brutal band as they create a wave of mayhem, death, and destruction wherever they go. Since debuting on Adult Swim in 2006, the series has become one of the network’s highest-rated original series, and the second season was watched by more than five million 18 to 34-year-old viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. This animated band has also had a lot of very real success, as the band’s debut CD, Dethklok: The Dethalbum, is the fastest-selling death-metal album of all time since debuting at #21 on Billboard’s Top 100 list, and a real-live version of the animated band has completed nearly sold-out tours. The follow up album, Dethklok: The Dethalbum II, will be released on September 8th from Williams Street Records.

“This collaboration with Dark Horse Comics is a great opportunity for us to partner with a company that has a shared sensibility and fan base with one of Adult Swim’s most popular brands,” said Christina Miller, vice president of Cartoon Network Enterprises. “Combining the pool of artistic talent of both companies, we have created a great publishing program that will both deliver the quality, entertaining content that our fans look for and will expose the hilarious antics of Dethklok to a new group of potential fans.”

“I am a huge fan of Eric and of The Goon,” says Dark Horse President Mike Richardson. “Eric, it turns out, is a huge fan of Metalocalypse. Once Eric suggested this team up, we began discussing the project and it seemed like a natural fit. We couldn’t be more excited about introducing these characters to the comics world.”

A display of some of the coming titles from Dark Horse Comics

Archive editions of classic Archie comic books and a Conan one-shot by Darick Robertson show the variety of projects announced by Dark Horse at Comic-Con International in San Diego.   Here’s a list from the eclectic publisher of upcoming products:

365 Samurai and a Few Bowls of Rice – Swiss artist J. P. Kalonji’s graphic novel comes to America. A young swordfighter must kill 365 samurai on a quest to avenge his master-in a fun, humorous, cartoony style.

Age of Reptiles – Film designer Ricardo Delgado returns with the third installment of his epic (silent) dinosaur comics series. Carnivores hunt herbivores on a migration south.

Aliens vs. Predator: Three World War – The 2009 relaunch of the Aliens and Predator series comes together with a creative team of John Arcudi and Rick Leonardi.

Archie Archives – The classic Archie comic books get the deluxe treatment in a series of hardcovers as the newest editions to the Dark Horse Archives series.

Blacksad – Collecting all three of the international award-winning European volumes, the third of which has not been published in English before. This crime noir about a cat detective, PI John Blacksad, is a phenomenal anthropomorphic story with fully painted artwork. By Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido.

Casper Anniversary Special – A 64-page hardcover celebrating Casper’s sixtieth anniversary and featuring his first appearance in comics.

Conan: The Weight of the Crown – Darick Robertson writes and draws our first Conan one-shot since the

Darick Robertson sketches for a fan.

Conan the Cimmerian relaunch. This comic is part of Dark Horse’s all-new One-Shot Wonders program.

Dark Horse GelaSkins – Decorative coverings for phones and laptops featuring some of Dark Horse’s most popular properties, including The Umbrella Academy, Yoshitaka Amano, Tim Burton, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hellboy, and many more. A select few will be available at the Dark Horse booth during the convention as supplies last. The whole program is set to launch in September 2009.

Devil – Devil is an original Japanese manga being created for Dark Horse by Torajiro Kishi and animation powerhouse Madhouse Studios, featuring genetically designed vampires in a sci-fi police drama set in Tokyo.

Electropolis – Electropolis: The Infernal Machine is the perfect companion to Mister X: Condemned. Visionary artist Dean Motter revisits his unique brand of “antique futurism” in a story full of familiar faces, including a memorable cameo by Mister X himself.

Final Fantasy Boxed Set – A luxurious edition that stays true to the original Japanese collection of the complete Final Fantasy artwork by Yoshitaka Amano.

Furry Water and Mesmo Delivery – Eisner winner Rafael Grampá comes to Dark Horse with two books: Mesmo Delivery, a reprint of his psychedelic small-press debut; and Furry Water, cowritten with Daniel Pellizzari, a six-issue postapocalyptic action comic.

One-Shot Wonders – A new program running from October to December, highlighting some of Dark Horse’s biggest characters and properties in standalone comics retailing at $3.50 each. The program includes “Sugarshock,” Conan, Hellboy, Abe Sapien, Star Wars (two titles), “Dr. Horrible,” and The Goon.

The Art of Blade of the Immortal – Hardcover edition of the original Japanese book with 32 new bonus pages not previously available. This book will be in the style of the Dark Horse The Art of . . . and Library Edition series.

The first full issue of Milo Ventimiglia’s Berserker from Top Cow hits stores today, and if you’re a fan of Wanted or some of Top Cow’s other more mature, violent books, this one is probably worth a look.
In other probably violent news, Predator comes back to comics in a new first issue from Dark Horse.

Meanwhile, Marvel has all kinds of high-octane releases, including “Utopia” No. 1 and the first “dark” Wolverine, in issue 75.

DC launches Gotham City Sirens, written by Paul Dini.  Fans of Tulsa-born writer Sterling Gates can get your weekly Gates quota in “Green Lantern: Tales of the Sinestro Corps” trade paperback, which contains his work from the Sinestro Corps Superman Prime Special and the Green Lantern/Sinestro Corps Secret Files.

“Tales of Sinestro Corps” collects Green Lantern Sinestro Corps Special #1, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Ion #1, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Parallax #1, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Cyborg Superman #1, Tales of the Sinestro Corps: Superman-Prime #1, Green Lantern/Sinestro Corps Secret Files #1 and backup stories from Green Lantern #18-20.

Other than “Tales,” not as many trades that I’m as excited about this week, though I imagine the “All-Star Batman and Robin” trade will sell well. The deluxe editions of the Grant Morrison JLA are also quality comics if you don’t already own that material, or if you want it in a higher-end package.
Given my Superman fandom, I’ll at least take a look at the “Tales from the Phantom Zone” collection.
What looks good to you?

- Matt Price

Publishers IDW and Dark Horse have made “Star Trek” and “Terminator” comic books available in the iPhone App Store this summer, tying in to the release of the movies “Star Trek” and “Terminator Salvation.”

The first iPhone comic book from veteran publisher Dark Horse is “Terminator: Death Valley.” In Death Valley, Calif., two Terminators have been sent back in time to kill John Connor as a boy. Each of the four issues is available for 99 cents from the App Store. The story also is available in print as part of “Terminator Omnibus” Vol. 2, which contains “Death Valley” and four other “Terminator” miniseries for $24.95.

“Death Valley” is by Alan Grant and Steve Pugh and originally was published in 1998. “Death Valley” is meant to be the first in a line of comics apps from Dark Horse.

“This is an evolution for the comics industry, and we look forward to bringing our tradition of innovation and creativity into this new medium,” Dale LaFountain, chief information officer of Dark Horse, said in a release.

IDW’s “Terminator Salvation” prequel also is available on the iPhone, with each of the five issues going for 99 cents or the entire graphic novel for just $3.99.

Warner Bros. and IDW Publishing present the “Terminator Salvation” graphic novel prequel, which takes readers through a series of events that have transpired since Judgment Day, leading up to “Terminator Salvation”.

IDW made its entry onto the iPhone in late 2008 with “Star Trek Archives” and gained even more momentum with “Star Trek: Countdown,” a prequel to the 2009 “Star Trek” movie.

Selected “Star Trek” comics from IDW are available via iVerse, which also distributes iPhone comics from Red 5, Image, Archie Comics, Antartic Press, Boom! Studios and others.

- by Matthew Price
From Friday’s The Oklahoman