May 18 Comics Guide Part 2

OTHER NICE STUFF

Here's are books that I haven't already talked about that the publishers are touting with press releases, previews or both.

THE BEAUTY #7

Publisher: IMAGE COMICS

Writers: JEREMY HAUN & JASON A. HURLEY

Art: MIKE HUDDLESTON

Cover A: JEREMY HAUN

Cover B: BRETT WELDELE

32 PAGES • FC • M • $3.99

NEW STORY ARC!

Writer/artist Jeremy Haun (Constantine, Batwoman) and co-writer Jason A. Hurley will launch a new story arc in their ongoing high-concept procedural series this May.

Previously in THE BEAUTY, a unique sexually-transmitted disease spread across the world, in no small part due to the fact that it produced highly desirable results. When detectives Vaughn and Foster stumbled upon a vast conspiracy concerning the nature and origin of this disease, they just uncovered more questions.

In THE BEAUTY #7, think that a criminal wouldn’t be all that affected by The Beauty outbreak? Well, you haven’t met Timo yet. He’ll prove you dead wrong.

"The Beauty is a morality play," said Haun. "We’re examining the lengths we, as a society, go to in order to look good. And let’s be honest: as a society, we’re a mess."

"Our next story arc will deal with a different set of characters at an earlier time in the life of the disease," added Hurley. "The story is more about the people dealing with the situation they’re in rather than about how the situation came to be."

BLOOD C VOL 1: DEMONIC MOONLIGHT

Writer: CLAMP

Production I.G, RYO HADUKI

Artist: RYO HADUKI

Age range: 14 • B&W • 184 pages •TPB • 5 1/8'' x 7 1/4'' • $12.99

In spring 2016, Dark Horse Comics will deliver the first volume in the prequel to the Blood-C saga from CLAMP, Production I.G, and artist Ryo Haduki: Blood-C: Demonic Moonlight!

Paying homage to the previous Blood series—but telling a wholly new story—Blood-C: Demonic Moonlight is the prequel readers have been waiting for.

In occupied Japan in 1946, an American military investigator is sent to Yokohama Base to research a number of bizarre deaths. His encounters with a mysterious, sword-wielding stranger and a series of supernatural events lead him to believe that the murderer isn’t human. Something more sinister lurks within the shadows!

Dark Horse has sold over 70,000 copies of Blood+, a series perfect for fans of horror, suspense, and mystery. CLAMP’s contribution to the Blood-C saga continues with Blood-C: Demonic Moonlight, based on CLAMP’s original story line and character designs.

Praise for Blood-C:

“This is definitely one of the Blood spin-offs you need to check out.”—Birth of a New Witch

“Blood-C draws you in slowly and creates a story that will bring you back for more. Strange happenings and mysterious behavior indicate that something wrong is going on.”—Talking Comics

DOCTOR WHO: THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR YEAR TWO #9

Writers: SI SPURRIER & ROB WILLIAMS

Artist: WARREN PLEECE

Cover A: MARK WHEATLEY

Cover B: Photo Subscription – WILL BROOKS

Cover C: ELEONORA CARLINI

Colorist: Hi-Fi

Letterer: Comicraft

FC - 32PP - $3.99

The attacks on the TARDIS reach fever pitch. The Doctor's only hope for survival is to track down the mysterious 'Cabal' who have been haunting his steps. Were they active in the Time War? Do they still exist? Meanwhile, Alice is forced to make a decision that could wipe her from the timeline forever!

DOCTOR WHO: EIGHTH DOCTOR VOL. 1

Writer: GEORGE MANN

Artist: EMMA VIECELI

Colorist: Hi-FI

Letterer: Comicraft

Cover: ALICE X. ZHANG

FC - HC - 128pp - $19.99

From a sleepy Welsh village under attack from living art, to symbiotic shards on a crystalline planet, from a theater haunted by the Silvered, to a stately home overrun by the ancient woods, and on to the great Resurrection Barges of the Bakti – the Eighth Doctor and new companion Josie Day are on course for a grand adventure like no other!

EVE: VALKYRIE (HC)

Writer: BRIAN WOOD

Artist: EDUARDO FRANCISCO

Colorist: MICHAEL ATIYEH

Cover Artist: BORKUR EIRIKSSON

FC • 96 pages • HC • 7'' x 10'' • $19.99 • Age range: 14

This series leads into EVE: Valkyrie, one of the most hotly anticipated video games of all time—a groundbreaking virtual reality space dogfighting shooter from the creators of EVE Online. With cloning technology that transmits them into a new body each time the old one dies, the Valkyrie are immortal—the most skilled and fearless pilots money can buy, mercenaries with loyalty to no one but each other. Collects the four-issue miniseries.

GUERILLAS VOL. 3
Publisher: ONI PRESS

Writer/Art/Cover: BRAHM REVEL

192 PGS • M • $17.99

Oni Press, Portland’s premier independent comic book publisher, is excited to return to the jungles of Vietnam in Guerillas Volume 3 by creator Brahm Revel (storyboard artist for Adult Swim's The Venture Bros., Marvel Knights: X-Men, The Bunker).

1970.

The U.S. government has secretly authorized the use of trained chimpanzees as surrogate soldier in Vietnam.

Jungle warfare will never be the same.

In Guerillas Volume 3, Learn the secret origins of Adolf, Goliath and the rest of the apes as Dr. Heisler struggles to regain control of an increasingly dangerous situation in the jungle of Vietnam. When the country itself turns against the troops, death and destruction will follow in the wake.

Get your stinking paws on Guerrillas Volume 3 by Brahm Revel on May 18, 2016

What people are saying about GUERILLAS:

"You don't need the likes of me to tell you to buy a comic book about apes with machine guns. They're APES, for God's sake. With MACHINE GUNS." -- Jackson Publick, co-creator of Adult Swim's THE VENTURE BROS

"Revel’s story provides a mix of both action movie combat and meditations on the horrors of war and the unfairness of forcing individuals into a fight they don’t want to participate in to further someone else’s goals. The story succeeds because of the emotion he’s able to evoke from the chimpanzees through facial expressions, hand gestures, and grunts alone." -- Publisher's Weekly

"Brahm Revel's work in Guerillas feels like the composition of an old pro. The author/artist takes full advantage of the medium's unique storytelling opportunities, skillfully weaving pleasantly nostalgic narrations into scenes of debauched violence and complete moral ambivalence." -- IG

"It's not very often that a book impresses me this much ... but with Guerillas Brahm Revel has created a lasting title that deserves far more attention than it has yet received ... I, at least, will be waiting with much anticipation for the next volume. I can't recommend this book enough." -- Newsarama

INDEPENDENCE DAY 3

Publisher: TITAN COMICS

Writer: VICTOR GISCHLER

Artist: STEVE SCOTT

Cover A: STAZ JOHNSON

Cover B: EDGAR SALAZAR

32 PP • FC • $3.99

Tensions arise aboard the sub as specimens are shipped back for study. Meanwhile, Adams and co. get to grips with their extraterrestrial armaments and discover the real motivation behind the alien crash...

Independence Day #3 is written by Victor Gischler (Batman, Deadpool) with art by Steve Scott (Batman, Wolverine). Cover A features art by Staz Johnson (Wolverine, New X-Men) and Cover B is by Edgar Salazar (Justice League, Red Sonja).

INDEPENDENCE DAY CLASSIC COLLECTION

Writers: PHIL CRAIN, RALPH MACCHIO (BASED ON IDEAS & CONCEPTS BY DEAN DEVLIN & ROLAND EMMERICH

Artists: TERRY PALLOT, STEVE ERWIN, ROD WIGHAM, GABRIEL GECKO, LEONARD KIRK, SCOTT REED, STEVE MONCUSE, PHIL MOY, LARRY WELCH

FC - 112pp - $12.99

Collecting the original comics adaptation by Marvel, this essential compendium perfectly captures the high-octane approach of Devlin/Emmerich's 1996 blockbuster and comes bursting with brand new content, artwork and much more!

JEKYLL ISLAND CHRONICLES: A MACHINE AGE WAR

Publisher: IDW/TOP SHELF

Written by STEVE NEDDICK, ED CROWELL & JACK LOWE

Colors: S.J. Miller

Full-color graphic novel with French flaps • 176 pages • $19.99 (U.S.)

Mechanical Wonders and Amazing Heroes in THE JEKYLL ISLAND CHRONICLES!

In the early 20th century, the world's wealthiest men — captains of industry like Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Morgan and Carnegie — spend their leisure on the tiny Georgia island of Jekyll. But when a terrifying new threat rises from the ashes of the Great War, it will take more than money to defend the free world — it will take a new generation of heroes.

Set in an alternate version of the age of invention, The Jekyll Island Chronicles: A Machine Age War begins a thrilling new series of graphic novels. Blending elements of historical fact, clockwork technology, and dieselpunk style, they span an age of furious mechanical advancement while exploring the span of man’s soul – whether good or evil.

MANIFEST DESTINY #19

Publisher: IMAGE COMICS

Writer: CHRIS DINGESS

Art: MATTHEW ROBERTS

Cover A: MATTHEW ROBERTS & GIENI

Cover B: JAMES HARREN

32 PAGES • FC • T+ • $2.99

NEW STORY ARC!

Writer Chris Dingess and artist Matthew Roberts return with their biggest MANIFEST DESTINY story yet, the 6-issue "Sasquatch" arc, featuring America's most legendary monster. The adventure begins this May from Image/Skybound Entertainment.

Previously, deep in America’s heartland, Lewis & Clark’s expedition lead to the discovery of a civilization unlike any they—or anyone else on Earth—had yet encountered, and it pushed their men to the brink of mutiny.

In MANIFEST DESTINY #19, readers return to the story as Lewis and Clark pick up the trail of the legendary Sasquatch, AKA Bigfoot. Huge pieces of the series' mythology will be revealed by arc's end.

PUSS IN BOOTS #2

Writer: CHRISTOPHER COOPER

Artists: EGLE BARTOLINI, DAVE ALVAREZ

Cover A: Film Art Cover

Cover B: DAVE ALVAREZ

FC - 32PP - $3.99

The Furball of Fortune Returns! In "Damage Control" after a drag-out brawl with local bandit El Moco, Puss is tasked with cleaning up San Lorenzo, but something smells fishy and it’s not just the knocked-over trash cans. Could El Moco still be at large? In a bonus story, Kid Pickles buys some magic beans and things begin to get weird … very weird indeed! If you enjoy your fairy tales with a twist and a pickle on the side ... these are for you!

RAI #13

Publisher: VALIANT COMICS

Written by MATT KINDT

Art by CAFU

Cover A by DAVID MACK

Cover B by ANDRES GUINALDO

Valiant x CGC Replica Variant by CLAYTON HENRY

Character Design Variant by CAFU

Interlocking Mega-Cover Variant by RYAN LEE

$3.99 • 32 pgs. • T+

NEW ARC! “4001 A.D.”

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of RAI #13 – the FIRST ISSUE of an all-new story arc rocketing out of the pages of the year's most anticipated comic event…4001 A.D.! On May 18th, New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (4001 A.D., DIVINITY II), joins forces with rising star CAFU (UNITY) to reveal the never-before-told story of New Japan’s tyrannical rise to power…and, with it, the genesis of one of the Valiant Universe's most iconic heroes! Launching directly out of the pages of 4001 A.D. #1 (of 4) – on sale May 4th – THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D. continues here with an all-new, standalone chapter uncovering, at long last, the 41st century's most closely guarded secret!

As 4001 A.D. teeters on the brink, discover the intertwined origins of New Japan’s very first Rai and his creator, Father – the despotic artificial intelligence that would one day threaten us all. And as the truth behind these long-lost beginnings resurfaces, so too will the questions that have eluded mankind for nearly two millennia. How did New Japan come to orbit Earth? Who created Father? And what happened to the nine previous Rai that once swore allegiance to his empire?

On May 18th, "THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D." explodes with an all-new entry point into the most-acclaimed universe in comics as all-star creators Matt Kindt and CAFU chart the rise of New Japan’s sworn protector and the empire that spawned him, only in RAI #13 – featuring covers by David Mack (Daredevil), CAFU (IMPERIUM), Clayton Henry (HARBINGER WARS), and Ryan Lee (Uncanny Inhumans)!

Plus: Don’t miss the first shot fired in Rai’s insurrection against the forces of New Japan when THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D. officially begins in 4001 A.D. #1 (of 4)! On May 4th, the future of Earth will be decided in the stars as Matt Kindt (RAI, Mind MGMT) and acclaimed artist Clayton Crain (RAI) unite the full force of the 41st century behind the FIRST ISSUE of the summer's long-awaited crossover event!

Then, "THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D." escalates even further as an all-star cast of superstar talents come aboard to reveal what the 41st century holds for Valiant’s most iconic heroes in a new series of four indispensable one-shots! Featuring X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Shadowman, and the debut of an all-new, top-secret character with a crucial tie to the present and future of the Valiant Universe, "THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D." erupts into full force here with four new chapters from Valiant’s most acclaimed creators.

Each chapter of “THE SUMMER OF 4001 A.D.” is designed for maximum accessibility and can be read in concert with the core 4001 A.D. series or stand on its own for a new vision of the future of the Valiant Universe.

RIVERS OF LONDON: NIGHT WITCH #3

Writer: BEN AARONOVITCH & ANDREW CARTMEL

Artist: LEE SULLIVAN

Colours: LUIS GUERRERO

Cover A: LEE SULLIVAN

Cover B: MARIANO LACLAUSTRA

FC - 32PP - $3.99

With a Russian Night Witch in custody, Peter and Nightingale should be having a lot more luck chasing down a rogue Leshy -- a murderous spirit of the forest. But when the Russian Mafia are involved, nothing goes smoothly! Even worse, Lesley is back in London – and it's anyone's guess as to her agenda!

TANK GIRL: TWO GIRLS ONE TANK #1

Publisher: TITAN COMICS

Writer: ALAN MARTIN

Artist: BRETT PARSON

Cover A: BLACK FROG

Cover B: BRETT PARSON

Cover C: SHAKY KANE

Cover D: BLANK SKETCH

FC • 32pp • $3.99

Fresh off the back of their latest calamitous chapter comes this shiny new Tank Girl tale from series creator, Alan Martin and artist extraordinaire, Brett Parson! Expect a healthy dose of delirium and plenty of ball-crunching action in this high-octane crosscountry skirmish that asks the question: is this world really big enough for two Tank Girls?! Strap yourself in, folks; It’s gonna be one helluva ride!

Issue #1 comes with four covers to collect.

TENTH DOCTOR ARCHIVES: OMNIBUS VOL. 2

Writers: TONY LEE, LEAH MOORE, JOHN REPPION, JOHN OSTRANDER, RICHARD STARKINGS, GARY RUSSELL, RICH JOHNSTON, CHARLIE KIRCHOFF

Artists: AL DAVISON, MATTHEW DOW SMITH, BEN TEMPLESMITH, PAUL GRIST, KELLY YATES, ERIC J, TOM MANDRAKE

Colorists: LOVERN KINDZIERSKI, CHARLIE KIRCHOFF, PHIL ELLIOTT

Letterers: NEIL UYETAKE & ROBBIE ROBBINS

FC - HC - 288pp - $24.99

The second stunning volume of the Tenth Doctor Archives collects six thrilling one-shots (“Through Time and Space”), and the first arc of the Tenth Doctor's debut ongoing series (“Fugitive”). Travel with the Doctor's beloved companions Martha, Donna and a whole new gang in a bumper collection of transtemporal adventure!

Collects “Doctor Who: Through Time and Space” and “Doctor Who: Fugitive”.

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #7

Publisher: VALIANT COMICS

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI

Art by RAUL ALLEN

Cover A by RAUL ALLEN

Cover B by PERE PEREZ

Cover C by JUAN JOSE RYP

Character Design Variant by KHARI EVANS

Variant Cover by DAVE BULLOCK

$3.99 • 32 pgs. • Teen+

This summer, the most shocking Valiant epic of the year starts here as Earth’s immortal master of war runs a gauntlet of pain and punishment engineered by history’s coldest and most calculating scientific mind!

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #7 – the FIRST ISSUE of “LABYRINTH”, an ALL-NEW JUMPING-ON POINT from New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH) and Valiant-exclusive artist and visionary storyteller Raul Allen (Hawkeye)! On May 18th, the most punishing Eternal Warrior story in history starts here! Gilad Anni-Padda has escaped the depths of Hell...but has he stumbled into a place far worse? Imprisoned in the most impenetrable deathtrap ever conceived, the Eternal Warrior’s escape rests in a tour of agony, anguish, and affliction designed to break his body, torment his mind…and reveal, at long last, the time-lost secret of his immortality!

Across six millennia, Gilad Anni-Padda – an immortal warrior sworn to forever serve the Earth – has felled zealots and madmen, emperors and tyrants in the course of his duty. But nothing he’s faced yet can prepare him to run the “LABYRINTH” – a miles-long maze of horrors specifically designed to undermine his every strength, enhance his every weakness…and to send him screaming into the darkness of death at every turn. But what kind of brilliant-but-twisted psyche could have possibly conceived such a monument to terror…and for how many centuries have they plotted to break the mind and body of history’s most formidable soldier?

The answer lies at the heart of the “LABYRINTH” itself…and as Gilad endures a gauntlet of cutting-edge technology and sharpened steel, he’ll soon discover why the merciless figure known only as The Dying One has singled the Eternal Warrior out for the ultimate deathtrap.

On May 18th, the Eternal Warrior’s place in history and the Valiant Universe will be forever altered when Robert Venditti and Raul Allen enter the “LABYRINTH” – a startling new jumping-on point beginning in WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #7! Featuring covers by Raul Allen (BLOODSHOT REBORN), Pere Perez (ARCHER & ARMSTRONG), Juan Jose Ryp (NINJAK), Khari Evans (HARBINGER), and Dave Bullock (The Rocketeer at War), the definitive Eternal Warrior epic of 2016 starts right here on May 18th, only in WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #7!

X-O MANOWAR ANNUAL 2016 #1

Publisher: VALIANT COMICS

Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with AMY CHU, JODY HOUSER

Art by PERE PEREZ with ADAM GORHAM, MIKE MCKONE, more

Cover A by PHIL JIMENEZ

Cover B by CARMEN CARNERO

Variants: BRIAN LEVEL, JEFF DEKAL

$5.99 • 64 pgs. • T+

Valiant is proud to present your first look inside the X-O MANOWAR ANNUAL 2016 #1! From Aric of Dacia's days on the outskirts of the Roman Empire to the eve of X-O Manowar's greatest battle yet amongst the stars, jump on board the series that set the Valiant Universe in motion on May 18th as New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH, Green Lantern) and Valiant-exclusive sensation Pere Perez (ARCHER & ARMSTRONG) lead off a centuries-spanning look at X-O Manowar’s past and present in a giant-sized adventure too epic for a single issue! Then: The life and times of the unstoppable X-O Manowar loom large as a massive cast of rising stars and superstar talents – including Amy Chu (Poison Ivy: Cycle of Life and Death), Adam Gorham (DEAD DROP), Jody Houser (FAITH), Mike McKone (Teen Titans), and more – come together for tales of Valiant's most powerful hero ... and his allies and foes alike!

With X-O MANOWAR #50 just over the horizon, 2016 is primed and ready to be X-O Manowar’s most pivotal year yet! But before Aric of Dacia can confront the biggest threat Earth has ever faced, he must first reflect on the past…and the outcome of a bloodstained battle on the frontier of the Roman Empire that continues to be felt to this day! Then: X-O Manowar’s sworn enemy, Commander Trill, readies for the war that is to come…by undergoing a life-threatening trial-by-fire that will test every ounce of his intellect and fury. And then Col. Jamie Capshaw must singlehandedly defend G.A.T.E from a menace nobody expected… just as the Armorines begin an all-new mission at the heart of X-O Manowar’s world!

On May 18th, the legend of Aric of Dacia and the ultra-powerful X-O Manowar armor passes down through the ages as a massive cast of Valiant superstars launch into a 64-page barrage of spectacular action and overwhelming intrigue in the X-O MANOWAR ANNUAL 2016 #1 – featuring covers from Phil Jimenez (Infinite Crisis), Carmen Carnero (The Punisher), Brian Level (The Mantle), and Jeff Dekal (Journey into Mystery)!

Plus: One month later, on June 29th, the biggest Valiant milestone of all time commences when the countdown to X-O MANOWAR #50 begins in X-O MANOWAR #47 – the FIRST ISSUE of "LONG LIVE THE KING" by New York Times best-selling writer Robert Venditti (WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR) and acclaimed artists Joe Bennett (52) and Roberto de la Torre (Daredevil)! Witness the epic climax of Venditti's landmark, 56-issue run here as X-O Manowar faces an unthinkable new foe far more terrible than any that have come before … they are The Torment – and their name means death. Thought to be a legend by the Vine, they have now become Earth’s violent reality. As old as the universe itself, they have traveled for eons to reach us…in search of Aric of Dacia and the unstoppable X-O Manowar armor. Can Aric challenge a seemingly omnipotent threat with motives beyond the comprehension of mortal men? Will the armor truly be our world’s salvation, just as the Vine’s myths foretold? And is this the beginning of the end for X-O Manowar – or the beginning of something even bigger?

On June 29th, Robert Venditti, Joe Bennett, and Roberto de la Torre bring the most critically lauded superhero saga of the modern era to a world-shaking finale … and mark the beginning of an all-new era for the future of Valiant’s most powerful hero, beginning in X-O MANOWAR #47 – part one of "LONG LIVE THE KING"!

Plus: In celebration of X-O Manowar’s landmark issue #50 finale, Valiant is proud to reveal the X-O MANOWAR #50 COUNTDOWN GIVEAWAY – also beginning in June’s X-O MANOWAR #47! For no extra cost, each issue of “LONG LIVE THE KING” will come bagged with one of 50 exclusive, 4-by-6 inch “micro-prints” featuring the one and only X-O Manowar as realized by a sensational cast of comics’ biggest talents – or full-blown, beautifully rendered original artwork randomly inserted in each issue! The X-O MANOWAR #50 COUNTDOWN GIVEAWAY will continue all summer long across all issues of “LONG LIVE THE KING” – including the oversized, blockbuster issue #50 finale!

MASSIVE MULTI-COVER PLAYERS

Here are some books with three or more variant covers that I haven't already talked about.

CAVEWOMAN RIVER STYX #1