Cover by Stan Shaw.
Jack Kirby is the undeniable King of Comics. He created most of the heroes we all grew up with. But superheroes weren't his exclusive subject matter -- he also drew westerns, crime stories, romance comics . . . and Bible plates. In the 1970s, Kirby illustrated his favorite scenes from the Old Testament; not comic stories, but illustrative plates. "It was the best work of his life," says Roz Kirby. "The artwork he was most proud of." For a look at the greatest work of the greatest illustrator comics has ever known -- will ever know -- be sure to order your copy of Dark Horse Presents #103. And as if that's not enough, the most diverse anthology in comics runs the gamut this month, ranging from the slyly hip to the angst-ridden to the weird and supernatural.
The world's first unborn superhero, "The Pink Tornado," debuts in this issue, "Mr. Painter" continues the story of a disaffected artiste, Alan Bland -- a coffee addict and tuba aficionado -- who becomes obsessed with an old painting he finds in his parents' home. Paul Pope, alternative comics genius, continues "The One Trick Rip-Off," a stylish, comics noir strip set in a near-future Los Angeles and focusing on a small group of thieves called the One Tricks. "Cal: Hairball" is a mystery featuring Cal McDonald, paranormal investigator, whose pursuit of some weird characters puts him hot on the trail of a murderer. This month, these weird characters show themselves as even weirder by killing Cal's client! Kitsch, comedy, comics noir, and Kirby -- if you're wanting anything more, you're just getting greedy!
B&W. Cover price $2.95.
Cover by Shannon Wheeler.
Shannon Wheeler's "Too Much Coffee Man" makes its Dark Horse Presents debut this issue as his send-up of Dante's Inferno explores the levels of coffee hell: the rush, the jitters, and the crash. "Blackheart" by Robbie Morrison and Frank Quitely continues.
Seneca must confront the evil of Kane, who unleashes his poisonous scheme to destroy all people who do not fit his fascist views of the world. Rick Geary gives us "Night Drive," a lyrical prose work examining the mysteries of the evening on a fantasy ride to the outer limits.
B&W. Cover price $2.50.
Cover by Kilian Plunkett.
Paul Chadwick's back, with an all-new companion tale to his remarkable new miniseries Concrete: Killer Smile. Don't miss this exciting introduction, by one of Legend's most respected creators. Lord Parsons accuses Master Architect Overton of murder most foul in the thrilling conclusion to our cover story, "The Eighth Wonder," but when Dr. Agrine -- the victim -- appears, all hell breaks loose in the most amazing chase scene in comics' history!
Looking forward to the future's Information Highway? Beware! Rick Geary's "The Phantom Telephone" reveals the insidious terror that lurks beneath that brushed steel! Also in this issue, during the breathless finale of "Star Riders," we finally get to see what Tabada wears under that miniskirt!
B&W. Cover price $2.50.
Cover by Andrew Robinson.
Amelia Hand, a gorgeous soldier of fortune in the 24th century, would kill for a little rest and relaxation after five months inside a cramped cockpit. Studebaker, a virtual Eden of a planet, promises all that and more, if she can only make it past the natives, who have grown rather... attached to her. This month's Dark Horse Presents features "A Breath of Fresh Air," written by science fiction and fantasy author Lawrence Watt-Evans and beautifully illustrated by Andrew Robinson.
In part 2 of "The Eighth Wonder," master architect Overton is still afraid that Dr. Agrine is dead, but beneath the sunlit supports of The Bridge, the good doctor is planting the seeds of a rebellion that promises to change the face of the world. Provided he can survive the assassination attempts, of course! Also in this issue, we continue the tale of Leroy and Tabada's desperate gamble as they continue the grueling Rally. When most of the contestants die by the first round, the competition gets mean!
B&W. Cover price $2.50.
Cover by Mike Dringnberg.
Dark Horse Presents is proud to debut "The Painted Horse," a tale of freedom and sacrifice set in ancient Japan. The retired Emperor Uda faces a terrifying demon to save his people. "The Painted Horse" features beautiful art by Mike Dringenberg, co-creator of DC's Sandman and Death, and a script by fantasy author Kij Johnson. Also in this issue, Étienne Gagnon and Alex Racine bring us part 1 of the hilarious "Star Riders."
With his ship, the Cachalot, at stake, space jockey Leroy enters the Mikorian Rally, the only galactic event with more casualties than participants. His only crewmember is Tabada, an alien princess whose enthusiasm overpowers her common sense. Kilian Plunkett stunned readers with his art in Aliens: "Backsplash" and Aliens: Labyrinth. Now he's back, with Peter Janes' "The Eighth Wonder," a story of the construction of the Trans-Atlantic Bridge. It's definitely one for the (alternate) history books!
B&W. Cover price $2.50.
Cover by Francisco Solano Lopez. Robert Boyd and Francisco Solano Lopez present "Buoy 77," a tale of desperation, greed, and treachery.
When the crew of the Sogeco Explorer lose a valuable scientific instrument near the village of Viçosa, they entice the locals with a small reward for its return. But a small reward to the Americans is an unbelievable fortune to the villagers, and some people would resort to anything to get a fortune -- even murder!
Christopher Moeller's Shadow Empires concludes in this issue as Hano Khazar escapes the palace, and seeks help among the people. But Khazar is a warrior, and warriors are rarely trusted by the common man. Eddie Campbell's Hermes vs. The Eyeball Kid continues this issue. The Eyeball Kid has escaped certain death in the whirling maw of a dam's generators only to face Hermes, who is prepared to use the Beetle Suit!
B&W. Cover price $2.25.
Cover by Chris Moeller.
This issue leads off with the first chapter in an all-new science fiction epic: The Shadow Empires, by writer-artist Chris Moeller, who also provides the painted cover. Then, it's round four of Eddie Campbell's smashing epic, Hermes vs. The Eyeball Kid!
The Kid might be down, but he's far from out and Hermes better keep his wits about him. There's more up Eyeball's sleeve than a stubby little arm. Also: the final chapter of Gary Davis' Paleolove. Daishon discovers there's much more to Gessa than he had ever imagined. And the more he finds out, the more he regrets!
B&W. Cover price $2.25.
Cover by Ray Largo.
Meet Cross: outlaw, freelance avenger, and, when the situation calls for it, professional killer. He's just the kind of person the Predators might take an interest in -- which is why the government's Predator Task Force wants him! Next month Predator: Race War debuts as a four-issue color miniseries.
Story by novelist Andrew Vachss, adapted by Randy Stradley and artists Jordan Raskin and John Beatty. Also: Jo Duffy and Maya Sakamoto's Nestrobber preview concludes, and the heroine of Gary Davis' "Paleolove" seeks a love potion from Mudwike, the dwarf. Painted cover by Ray Lago .
B&W. Cover price $2.25.
Cover by Paul Chadwick.
If variety is the spice of life, this is one spicy issue! First up, award-winning writer/artist Paul Chadwick returns to the pages of the book that launched his most famous creation: Concrete! Next, writer Ed Brubaker and artist Eric Shanower present part two of "An Accidental Death." A girl is missing, and only two teenage boys know the guilty secret behind her disappearance.
Finally, the Doctor may be in, but he's definitelyway out! Dr. Giggles operates as only he can. Scripted by writer/director Manny Coto and illustrated by Alan J. Burrows, Dr. Giggles prepares to leap onto the silver screen in the film of the same name from Dark Horse and Largo Entertainment! Front cover by Paul Chadwick, back cover by Doug Mahnke
32 pages, B&W. Cover price $2.25.
Cover by Frank Miller.
Still on the trail of Goldie's killer, Marv seeks new clues in Sin City's red light district. Story and art by Frank Miller. Only one more issue to go in this acclaimed serial! In The Creep, Oxel Karnhus brand new gun proves itself a necessary tool.
Story by John Arcudi, art by Dale Eaglesham. And in Earth Boys, our four heroes leave the president a gift that keeps on giving--giving alien invaders directions to Earth, that is! Story by Cliff Biggers and Brett Brooks, art by David Johnson. Full-color cover by Frank Miller & Lynn Varley.
32 pages, B&W. Cover price $2.25.
Cover by Frank Miller.
The action in Frank Miller's Sin City continues at breakneck pace as Marv races toward a confrontation with Goldie's killer. Don't miss this chance to see the master of the comics medium cut loose! In The Creep, Oxel Karnhus, the acromegalic private eye, finally breaks down and buys a gun--and it's a good thing, `cause he's gonna need it!
Story by John Arcudi, art by Dale Eaglesham. Finally, the Earth Boys return to Earth, only to find that the planet has changed its name so as not to be associated with the four dangerous youths! Story by Brett Brooks and Cliff Biggers, art by David Johnson. Full color cover by Frank Miller & Lynn Varley.
32 pages, B&W. Cover price $2.25.
Cover by Frank Miller.
In an extended installment of Frank Miller's Sin City, Marv discovers that the secret behind Goldie's murder is big--bigger than he ever dreamed--and it involves a murder farm, a smiling cannibal killer, and a helicopter full of corrupt, machine-gun-toting cops. Marv's in the thick of it, and his only weapon is a hatchet.
Pity the bad guys! Meanwhile, over in Alien Fire, creators Anthony Smith and Eric Vincent find a way to bring happiness to an extraterrestrial empire with a 1952 Buick Roadmaster! Rick Geary also chimes in with a morbid little ditty entitled The Baggage Coach Ahead.
32 pages, B&W. Cover price $2.25.
Cover by Eric Vincent. In Alien Fire, by Anthony Smith and Eric Vincent, ex-Earthman Ed Williams' negotiations for a 1952 Buick Roadmaster end in war: John Arcudi and Dale Eaglesham's The Creep closed another case; the gargoyle Mikio learns a lesson about gambling (and cheating) in Jo Duffy and Jo Chacon's Fancies; and in Sin City by Frank Miller, after being shot at, run over, and beaten up, Marv finally loses his temper!
32 pages, B&W. Cover price $2.25.
Written by Neal Barrett, Jr. Art by Pete McDonnell and Rick Magyar. Cover by Mike Zeck.
They're super-strong, they're super-deformed, they're super-furious and they're out to spill military blood! Find out just how bad things can get in The Shape of Fear as the super-enhanced escapees of Block 13 surface in Cinnabar and the Army reacts in the worst of ways! Division 13 crashes the party and the tumultuous result is a firefight in the desert that turns into a free-for-all!
32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.00.
Written by Neal Barrett, Jr. Art by Pete McDonnell and Rick Magyar. Cover by Vince Giarrano.
Steel Harbor's most explosive personality crashes the gates of the Cinnabar Flats installation this month, as Motorhead finds himself under the alien's scrutiny! The Motor that drives him may be the key to the mysterious alien technology that created the Vortex itself -- but will Lieutenant Anderson and the alien be able to retrieve the Motor before it lashes back?
32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.00.
Written by Neal Barrett, Jr. Art by Pete McDonnell and Rick Magyar. Cover by Jason Pearson.
What's more formidable than a Destroyer? Two Destroyers! The alien from the Vortex takes his battle into space in this story of world-flattening violence -- violence so threatening that the U.S. government persuades Golden City's Grace to come to the desert to join forces with the alien! But will Vortex see Grace as an ally or an obstacle? And will the two of them together be a match for the Destroyers?
32 pages, FC. Cover price $2.00.
Written by Neal Barrett, Jr. Art by Damon Willis and Bob Downs. Cover by Dave Dorman and Joe Rubinstein.
What could be a greater force of sheer destructive power than the team of Seekers that laid waste to the military installation at Cinnabar Flats? Find out this issue, as terror and violence rip across the galaxy with an unprepared earth as their destination! Meanwhile, on the planet itself, the Amazing Grace of Golden City wheels and deals with the government, and Lieutenant Anderson comes face to face with a gateway to insanity!
32 pages, FC. Cover price $1.00.
Written by John Ostrander. Art by Damon Willis and Joe Rubenstein. Cover by Walt Simonson.
Two archenemies end their galaxy-wide chase and face off at last in a battle between two of the universe's most potent forces -- The Seekers' all-powerful leader, Sister Jeqon, and the Heretic himself, Vortex! Even if the Army wasn't helpless to do anything but stand by and watch, which combatant should they side with -- the mysterious man from the Vortex, or the alien woman from another galaxy?
32 pages, FC. Cover price $1.00.
Written by John Ostrander. Art by Damon Willis and Joe Rubenstein. Cover by Mike Mignola.
Who is Vortex? Find out in this issue, as the mysterious and all-powerful alien falls victim to attacks from every quarter -- the Seekers regroup for violence, and even Vortex's own machinery turns against him. Now Lieutenant Anderson wants answers, too. Is she willing to take on God himself, and what are the stakes in her decision? If she chooses the wrong ally, the planet itself could be in danger!
32 pages, FC. Cover price $1.00.
Regular Editon – Written by John Ostrander. Art by Damon Willis and Joe Rubenstein. Cover by Doug Mahnke.
Pick up where you left off with Dark Horse's exciting 16-issue superhero explosion Comics' Greatest World, and find out more about the most mysterious and powerful hero of them all, Vortex!
In the first of the Vortex monthly stories, "From the Maelstrom," the military personnel of Nevada's top-secret Army post, Cinnabar Flats, face off with a force beyond their experience -- perhaps beyond their imagination. They bring out the best firepower available... but will they end up simple casualties in a battle of the big-time between Vortex and the Seekers who have tracked him across the galaxy?
32 pages, FC. Cover price $1.00.
Cover by Russ Heath, Paul Mendza and Jim Royal.
We've got a double bill this issue that would sell out any movie house in the country! In "James Bond: Minute of Midnight," a saboteur holds the fate of the world in his hands, prepared to unleash a nuclear holocaust of unimaginable proportions. Can James Bond, the British Secret Service's agent extraordinaire, stop the madman?
Catch the mile-a-minute excitement from Doug Moench and comics legend Russ Heath as they take you on Bond's most thrilling adventure yet! Also in this issue, Randy Stradley and Phill Norwood bring you "Aliens vs. Predator: Blood Time," a violent glimpse into alien rites of passage. The price of failure is death!
Cover price $2.50.
Cover by Nelson.
Eric Luke and Howard Cobb bring you the stunning finale of "The Machine: Under My Skin," in Dark Horse Comics #24. The twisted creature Flesh controls Mecha for now, but when The Machine dives into the fray, two superheroes may be more than it can handle. The result is too terrible to contemplate, but judge for yourself.
FC. Cover price $2.50.
Cover by Ronnie Del Carmen.
You better stock up on ammo, because this issue of Dark Horse Comics brings you "Aliens: Mondo Pest," a new solo adventure of Herk Mondo, that cigar-chomping, tail-kicking Alien-hunter extraordinaire!
Mondo answers a general distress call, hoping for a hefty bit of dosh from a bunch of grateful colonists, but finds himself at the business end of the planetary defense system... All this and bugs too! Also, in part 2 of "Mecha: Urban Renewal," Mecha realizes that he may be on the wrong side in this urban war and the cost of his commitment may be too high to keep!
FC. Cover price $2.50.
Cover by Nelson.
This issue of Dark Horse Comics showcases Mecha, in his first solo run in nearly a year. As one of Golden City's and -- more importantly -- Grace's superheroes, Mecha goes where he's told to go, and in "Urban Renewal," the action takes him to Chicago to stop a team of city-wrecking supervillians.
Also, in the blood and dust-streaked conclusion to "Predator: Blood on Two-Witch Mountain," Enoch's grandfather faces his own devil under the hot desert sun. And don't expect the Predator to lose this time!
FC. Cover price $2.50.
