Image and Top Cow Solicitations: November Highlights

My highlights from November's Image and Top Cow solicitations are once again dominated by the annual Pilot Season initiative. Now in its fifth year Pilot Season gives readers the chance to vote for their favourite one-shot with the winning title getting its own series at a later date.

Last year over a million votes were cast for the winning title - 39 Minutes - written and created by William Harms featuring art by Jerry Lando. Four of the 2011 Pilot Season titles were released in October - details here - with a further four being released in November.

Aside from Pilot Season other titles to catch my eye this month include a 68-page Giant-Size Elephantmen #1, the 2011 Hack/Slash annual, the oversized Thought Bubble Anthology and a second anthology of short stories set in the Carbon Grey universe.

Full details from Image Comics, Top Cow and Newsarama.

PILOT SEASON: MISDIRECTION #1
story FILIP SABLIK
art CHRIS DiBARI
cover MICHAEL GAYDOS
November 2, 32 pages, FC, T+, $3.99
PILOT SEASON RETURNS! TAKE CONTROL!
Vince Martinez raced cars for a living, now he can’t even drive. A tragic mistake took Vince from the height of success to losing his career, his family & his freedom. When he is unwittingly made the getaway driver for a bank robbery gone wrong, will Vince head back to jail or show the world why he was NASCAR’s hottest driver in one of the heaviest trafficked cities in the US.
Writer FILIP SABLIK (LAST MORTAL, PILOT SEASON: ASSET) teams with artist CHRIS DIBARI (Pale Horse, The Warriors) hit the gas on a high-speed fugitive tale with a twist!

PILOT SEASON: THEORY OF EVERYTHING #1
story DAN CASEY
art THOMAS NACHLIK
cover ERIK JONES
November 9, 32 pages, FC, T+, $3.99
PILOT SEASON RETURNS! TAKE CONTROL!
Charles Witten is a brilliant scientist capable of inventing devices that will change our world. Unfortunately, most of the scientific community thinks he’s a crackpot. As does the government, until... a precision team of heist men rob a bank in Switzerland using what appears to be Witten’s dimension hopping technology. Technology that Witten designed, but never completed...
Writer/director DAN CASEY and artist THOMAS NACHLIK (LAST MORTAL) deliver fast-paced, action-packed science fiction that will keep you guessing.

PILOT SEASON: ANONYMOUS #1
story ALAN McELROY
art MICHAEL MONTENAT
cover ERIK JONES
November 16, 32 pages, FC, T+, $3.99
PILOT SEASON RETURNS! TAKE CONTROL!
Marcus Walsh was an elite Special Forces soldier involved in black ops all over the world. Wet work like this takes its toll and Marcus wanted out, but this wasn’t a job you quit. There was only one way out. Now believed dead and completely anonymous, Walsh struggles to use his black ops skills to atone for his past sins.
Screenwriter ALAN McELROY (SPAWN, Tekken) newcomer MICHAEL MONTENAT delivers a hard-hitting adventure of redemption and conspiracy!

PILOT SEASON: SERAPH #1
story LANCE BRIGGS & PHIL HESTER
art & cover JOSE LUIS
November 23, 32 pages, FC, T+, $3.99
PILOT SEASON RETURNS! TAKE CONTROL!
The angelic warrior now known only as Seraph was once a sinner. After living a life of selfishness and sin, personal tragedy drove him to kill himself. Plucked on his way to Hell by Heaven, the man was made Heaven’s soldier in an endless battle. Charged with fighting an ancient war, but bound by God’s law, can Seraph triumph over opponents not restricted in the same way and regain his faith in the process?
Creator LANCE BRIGGS (Chicago Bears) and writer PHIL HESTER (THE DARKNESS, Wonder Woman) are joined by artist JOSE LUIS (Justice League of America) deliver a story of personal loss and redemption wrapped in a rich supernatural mythos.


SHAKY KANE'S MONSTER TRUCK
story/art/cover SHAKY KANE
November 23, 108 pages/ FC, LANDSCAPE, T+, $14.99
GET YOUR MOTOR ROLLING AND HEAD OUT ALONG COMIC BOOK ROUTE 666!
Taking it's stylistic cues from the silver age of comics, this graphic road movie by comics legend SHAKY KANE, pans out over 50 continuous panels, taking the reader on a hallucinogenic journey into the very hinterland of popular culture. Deluxe, recolored, remastered second printing of the WISHBONE STUDIO cult classic.
"The world in a blender, all the tastiest parts shaken, rattled, and rolled into a Technicolor mind-warp!"
Matt Seneca, Death To The Universe.

GIANT-SIZE ELEPHANTMEN #1
story RICHARD STARKINGS
art AXEL MEDELLIN
cover A J. SCOTT CAMPBELL & NEI RUFFINO
cover B AXEL MEDELLIN
November 2, 68 pages, FC, M, $5.99
COMPLETE THIS ISSUE: “MAN AND ELEPHANTMAN”
J. SCOTT CAMPBELL’s beautiful tri-fold cover art wraps around the complete, sold out ELEPHANTMEN: MAN AND ELEPHANTMAN story arc, previewed in THE WALKING DEAD #86. Read the whole story and see what everyone was talking about!

HACK/SLASH ANNUAL 2011: HATCHET/SLASH
story BENITO CERENO
art ARIEL ZUCKER-BRULL
cover A TIM SEELEY & MARK ENGLERT
cover B ARIEL ZUCKER-BRULL
November 2, 48 pages, FC, T+, $4.99
The biggest stars in comic book horror meet the biggest star in independent horror films as Cassie and Vlad meet HATCHET's Victor Crowley!
In the Louisiana Bayou, the murderous ghost of Victor Crowley is maiming tourists in creatively horrible ways. But in his blind murderous rampage, he may have created something worse than himself! Now, Cassie and Vlad are back in New Orleans, and it won't be long before baseball bat meets hatchet and deformed mutant meets deformed mutant! GUARDING THE GLOBE writer BENITO CERENO teams with star-in-the-making ARIEL ZUCKER-BRULL for this momentous mash-up!

ARTIFACTS #14
story RON MARZ
art & cover STJEPAN SEJIC
November 2, 32 pages, FC, T, $3.99
NOW ONGOING!
The Top Cow Universe irrevocably changed by the event of ARTIFACTS #13, and while the event is over, the story continues. Tom Judge, bearer of the Rapture, can’t get the feeling out of his head that something is horribly wrong... with everything. The longtime WITCHBLADE team of RON MARZ (MAGDALENA, SHINKU) and STJEPAN SEJIC (ANGELUS) reunite to tell the ongoing saga of the Top Cow Universe itself.

MUDMAN #1
story/art/cover PAUL GRIST
November 16, 32 pages, FC, TEEN, $3.50
A BRAND-NEW SUPERHERO COMIC BY PAUL GRIST!
It’s the first day back at school for Owen Craig, and it’s not going too well. He’s been run over, got detention, and his police officer father has been taken prisoner by armed bank robbers.
And now his body seems to be turning into mud...

THOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY #1
story ANDY DIGGLE, STUART GORDON & ANTONY JOHNSTON
art CHARLIE ADLARD, DUNCAN FEGREDO & D'ISRAELI
cover BECKY CLOONAN
November 9, 24 pages, FC, E, OVERSIZED, $2.99
Top names come together to celebrate Thought Bubble's fifth year with an anthology of new short comics. This collection will also print the winners of the first ever Northern Sequential Art Competition. All profits from this comic will go to the charity Banardos.
www.thoughtbubblefestival.com

ELEPHANTMEN, VOL. 0 HC
story RICHARD STARKINGS
art MORITAT, BOO COOK, AXEL MEDELLIN & LADR÷NN
cover BOO COOK
November 9, 312 pages, FC, M, $34.99
Collecting the sold out WAR TOYS trade paperback, now in full color for the first time, and the sequel, ENEMY SPECIES, this highly anticipated ELEPHANTMEN, VOL. 0 is packed with extras, including MORITAT and BOO COOK sketchbooks and unseen work by LADR÷NN, MARIAN CHURCHLAND, MARLEY ZARCONE and a new prologue by AXEL MEDELLIN!
Collects ELEPHANTMEN: WAR TOYS, VOL. 1: NO SURRENDER; ELEPHANTMEN: YVETTE ONE SHOT and ELEPHANTMEN #34-35

THE COMPLETE INVINCIBLE LIBRARY, VOL. 3 HC
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art RYAN OTTLEY & BILL CRABTREE
cover RYAN OTTLEY
November 23, 688 pages, FC, $125.00
S&N EDITION LIMITED TO 150 COPIES $175.00
Collecting the INVINCIBLE ULTIMATE COLLECTION, VOL. 5-6 into one massive slip cased volume just in time for Christmas! Almost 700 pages of pure INVINCIBLE goodness. This is a can't-miss for any INVINCIBLE fan and a perfect addition to any reinforced, sturdy bookshelf.
Collects INVINCIBLE #48-70

THE MISSION TP
story JON HOEBER & ERICH HOEBER
art & cover WERTHER DELL'EDERA & ARIANNA FLOREAN
November 9, 144 pages, FC, $14.99
Paul Haskell's average suburban life is upended when a mysterious figure claiming to be an angel taps him as a foot-soldier in the hidden war between Good and Evil. As Paul descends into a dark disturbing world of covert missions and murder, he struggles to discern reality from illusion, good from evil, and sanity from madness.

TOP COW: WE CREATE... HC
story TOP COW’S FINEST
art & cover TOP COW’S FINEST
November 30, 224 pages, FC, T, OVER-SIZED, $34.99
THE PERFECT GIFT!
Over it’s almost 20-year history, Top Cow has established itself as both a legendary breeding ground for great artists, and a hot bed of creativity and new ideas. Celebrate the full library of Top Cow properties and characters with overviews, profiles, and insights in this deluxe hard cover reference guide. Collecting material previously found in the Top Cow Bible and Bible Addendum along with new entries and content, Top Cow: We Create... makes the perfect holiday gift for the diehard Top Cow fan in your life. Plus be the first to find out about what Top Cow has planned for the future with sneak peeks at upcoming concepts and properties!

WITCHBLADE: REDEMPTION, VOL. 4 TP
story RON MARZ
art STJEPAN SEJIC
cover STJEPAN SEJIC
November 30, 160 pages, FC, T, STANDARD SIZE, $19.99
END OF AN ERA!
Longtime scribe RON MARZ (ARTIFACTS, MAGDALENA) and artistic partner STJEPAN SEJIC (BROKEN TRINITY) conclude their critically acclaimed run on WITCHBLADE. In this volume, Sara Pezzini must defeat the ancient Babylonian goddess-queen Tiamat, who has returned after centuries with an ax to grind with the Witchblade bearer. Also in this volume, the over-sized landmark 150th issue of Witchblade where Internal Affairs closes in on Sara’s mystical secret, forcing her to choose between her role as Witchblade bearer and detective.
Collects WITCHBLADE #145-150

CARBON GREY ORIGINS #2 (of 2)
story PAUL GARDNER, HOANG NGUYEN & KHARI EVANS
art HOANG NGUYEN, KHARI EVANS & KINSUN LOH
cover A HOANG NGUYEN
cover B KHARI EVANS & KINSUN LOH
November 23, 32 pages, FC, M - MATURE, $3.99
“ORIGIN,” Part Two
A second anthology of short stories set in the CARBON GREY universe. A boy becomes a god in “Gottfaust,” mysterious events are investigated by “Marshal and Marshall” and a refugee becomes a queen in the tale of “Raisa.” Legends, secret histories and continuity errors – all will be revealed in CARBON GREY ORIGINS.

THE DARKNESS #97
story PHIL HESTER
art ROMANO MOLENAAR
cover JEREMY HAUN
November 16, 32 pages, FC, M, $2.99
CELEBRATE THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY!
Longtime Darkness bearer, Jackie Estacado, is on a mission to destroy the one enemy that can strike at the core of his life... the Darkness itself. But fighting his way through the Darkness’ home dimension, Estacado will encounter unexpected ghosts from his past. Long time writer PHIL HESTER (Wonder Woman, Green Hornet) and ROMANO MOLENAAR (THE DARKNESS II: CONFESSION) barrel towards the landmark issue #100!
ALSO AVAILABLE: THE DARKNESS #90-#95 Signed Set – issue #90 signed by PHIL HESTER - $19.99

MAGDALENA #11
story RON MARZ
art NELSON BLAKE II, DAVID MARQUEZ, SAL REGLA & DAVE McCAIG
cover NELSON BLAKE II, SAL REGLA & DAVE McCAIG
November 9, 32 pages, FC, T, $3.99
GUEST-STARRING WITCHBLADE!
The hunt for a piece of the One True Cross leads Patience and Kristof to the US, where Patience is reunited with an old friend – Sara Pezzini! Together will the Artifact bearers be able to recover the relic from Patience’s newest adversary? RON MARZ (ARTIFACTS, WITCHBLADE), NELSON BLAKE II (PILOT SEASON: MURDERER) and DAVID MARQUEZ (Secret Warriors, Days Missing) continue the fan favorite series!

SAMURAI’S BLOOD #6 (of 6)
story OWEN WISEMAN
art NAM KIM, MATTHEW DALTON & SAKTI YUMONO
cover JO CHEN
November 9, 32 pages, FC, T, $3.99
MINISERIES CONCLUSION!
It all comes down to this moment... Three teenagers, the last survivors of a brutal betrayal on their clan, face an army with only the support of the Edo Ghost. All willing to die to enact their revenge. It looks like it may come to that.
32 PAGE - NO ADS FINALE!

WITCHBLADE #152
story TIM SEELEY
art DIEGO BERNARD & FRED BENES
cover A JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
cover B DIEGO BERNARD & FRED BENES
November 23, 32 pages, FC, T+, $2.99
“UNBALANCED PIECES”, Part Two
Tracking supernatural killers was a lot easier when Sara Pezzini, bearer of the Witchblade, lived in her hometown of New York and was a police detective. Now she must do it while avoiding butting heads with the Chicago PD and trying to make ends meet as a private detective. The new creative team of TIM SEELEY (HACK/SLASH) and DIEGO BERNARD (The Man With No Name) continue to shake up the status quo of WITCHBLADE!
Featuring two covers by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER (ARTIFACTS) and DIEGO BERNARD!
ALSO AVAILABLE: WTICHBLADE #146 – Comic-Con International Exclusive Variant Cover by KALMAN ANDROSOFSKY - $10.00

Image and Top Cow Solicitations: July 2011 Highlights

It feels like only a couple of weeks ago I posted my highlights from the Image and Top Cow solicitations for 2011 ... now here are my choices from July's solicitations.

From a great selection of one-shots, mini- and ongoing series as well as some great collected editions I'm looking forward to the first issues of Marksman, Mysterious Ways and The Red Wing as well as what looks like being an interesting one-shot called Repulse.

I'm also going to pick-up the first issue of a new Avengelyne ongoing series from Rob Liefeld, Mark Poulton and Owen Gieni - I've recently been listenning to, and enjoying, the new Avengelyne podcast and despite not having read any of her earlier comic book appearances I've been interested by what I've heard from the creators about the project.

On the collected-edition front I particularly like the look of the fourth volume of Chew - entitled FLAMBÉ - and Ian Churchill's Marineman: A Matter of Life and Depth as well, as you'd expect, the latest trade paperback of Witchblade collecting issues #140-143 plus the over-sized 15th anniversary issue #144.

For full details of the July 2011 Image and Top Cow solicitations head over to Image Comics, Top Cow Productions and Newsarama.

MARKSMAN #1 (of 6)
story DAVID BAXTER
art JAVIER ARANDA, GARRY LEACH & JESSICA KHOLINE OF IMAGINARY FRIENDS STUDIOS
cover TOMM COKER
JULY 20, 32 pages, FC, $1.00
Sixty years ago the oil ran out and debts were called in. Civil war followed that splintered America into warring fiefdoms. New San Diego is a technocratic utopia that offers the last bastion of peace and prosperity, provided you live within its walls. Drake McCoy is its best protector. McCoy, an expert marksman, defends the city from the numerous threats in the wasteland outside the walls. But when the oil rich Lone Star state sends a powerful army to steal New San Diego’s energy technology, even Drake’s leadership and skill may not be enough to fend off the siege.

REPULSE (ONE-SHOT)
story SZYMON KUDRANSKI
art & cover SZYMON KUDRANSKI
JULY 6, 72 Pages, BW, $6.99
CAN A ROBOT REMEMBER HIS PAST LIFE... AS A HUMAN?
In the near future, when robotics and other high-tech solutions help solve the most awful crimes, a unit called After Crime allows detectives to taste, feel and see what murder victims experienced before death. Sam Hagen is an After Crime detective, a broken man with one chance for redemption catching a serial killer who preys on Hagen’s fellow cops. Will the solution save Hagen, or doom him? Find out in SPAWN artist SZYMON KUDRANSKI’s thought-provoking thriller.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES!

MYSTERIOUS WAYS #1 (of 6)
story JASON RUBIN
art & cover TYLER KIRKHAM
JULY 6, 32 pages, FC, $3.99
THIS KILLER JUST SAVED YOUR LIFE...
Video game industry titan JASON RUBIN (The Iron Saint, Crash Bandicoot) teams with TYLER KIRKHAM (Green Lantern Corps) to bring a dark, action-packed supernatural thriller that will have you questioning everything you believe. Sam, an alcoholic ex-cop, woke up with a mysterious piece of silver and soon finds himself the prime suspect in a serial murder case pursued by a relentless FBI agent.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

THE RED WING #1
story JONATHAN HICKMAN
art & cover NICK PITARRA & RACHELLE ROSENBERG
JULY 6, 32 pages, FC, $3.50
“LEARNING TO FLY”
To stay alive in the future, the best fighter pilots in the world not only have to perfect their skills and master their aircraft, they also have to know how to travel through time.
Brought to you by award winning writer JONATHAN HICKMAN and possibly the best new talent of the year, NICK PITARRA, the Red Wing is the story of the greatest battle in the history of the history of three worlds.

AVENGELYNE #1
story ROB LIEFELD & MARK POULTON
art OWEN GIENI
cover A ROB LIEFELD
cover B OWEN GIENI
cover C JOE BENIETEZ
JULY 20, 32 pages, FC, $2.99
“DEVIL IN THE FLESH,” Part One
The legendary fallen angel returns to comics. As New York City’s sins are covered with a fresh blanket of snow, the psychotic serial killer, Torment, is hard at work creating new ones. Meanwhile, Avengelyne has her hands full with the Red Dragon who has taken a human vessel in search of a new apprentice. Who has the Dragon chosen as his vessel and does it have anything to do with Avengelyne’s new look? All this plus the introduction of the stunning, Heaven Starr! AVENGELYNE is a new ongoing supernatural series written by MARK POULTON (Koni Waves) with art by OWEN GIENI and letters and color assists by DEXTER WEEKS.

ARTIFACTS #11 (of 13)
story RON MARZ
art JEREMY HAUN & SUNNY GHO
cover A JEREMY HAUN
cover B JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
JULY 27, 32 pages, FC, $3.99
DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN!
With allies captured and wounded, Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado must travel deep into the Survivor’s complex to rescue their daughter Hope. With their forces decimated, what will the two Artifact bearers be able to accomplish against overwhelming odds? And with every other moment in the narrative anticipated by The Survivor, will the rest of the story play out according to his plans?
PLUS: Each issue will also feature an Artifacts: Origin story written by RON MARZ and drawn by a guest superstar artist.
Retailer Incentives available. See order form for details!

MORIARTY #3
story DANIEL COREY
art / cover ANTHONY DIECIDUE
JULY 6, 32 pages, FC, $2.99
“THE DARK CHAMBER,” Part Three
With time running out and his mission far from complete, Moriarty faces a dark night of the soul. With Dr. Watson hot on his trail, Moriarty must match wits with an old foe and hatch a scheme that could lead him to a final showdown with Tartarus.

WITCHBLADE #149
story RON MARZ
art / cover STJEPAN SEJIC
JULY 20, 32 pages, FC, $3.99
“TIAMAT,” Part Four
The epic battle between Sara Pezzini, bearer of the Witchblade, and Tiamat, the ancient Babylonian Queen-Goddess culminates in an earth-shaking showdown! The ongoing team of RON MARZ (Artifacts, Magdalena) and STJEPAN SEJIC (Angelus) inch closer to the huge anniversary #150 issue!

CHEW, VOL. 4: FLAMBÉ TP
story JOHN LAYMAN
art / cover ROB GUILLORY
JULY 20, 120 pages, FC, STANDARD SIZE, $12.99
These are strange times for Tony Chu, the cibopathic federal agent with the ability to get psychic impressions from the things he eats. Strange writing in extraterrestrial script has appeared in the skies of Planet Earth—and stayed there. People don’t know if the end days are upon them or not, but they don’t seem terribly concerned about the laws of the FDA, and what was once the most powerful law enforcement agency is rapidly descending into irrelevancy. So where does that leave the FDA best agent, Tony Chu?
Presenting the fourth story arc of the Eisner and Harvey Award-winner series, as the twisted and darkly funny comic about cops, crooks, cooks, cannibals and clairvoyants takes a curious cosmic turn.
Collects CHEW #16-20

MARINEMAN: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEPTH TP
story IAN CHURCHILL
art / cover IAN CHURCHILL
JULY 13, 288 pages, FC, STANDARD SIZE, $17.99
IAN (Hulk, Supergirl) CHURCHILL’s critically acclaimed MARINEMAN series is collected into one feature filled volume!
Follow the journey of MARINEMAN from celebrated marine biologist and TV presenter to sea-breathing marine superhero!
Packed with bonus material and a foreword by industry legend and Watchmen co-creator, DAVE GIBBONS!
Collects MARINEMAN #1-6

Strange Girl OMNIBUS HC
story RICK REMENDER
art ERIC NGUYEN, JEROME OPENA, NICK STAKAL & PETER BERGTING
cover ERIC NGUYEN
JUNE 29, 450 pages, FC, OVERSIZED, $59.99
For the first time, in one volume: Rick Remender’s critically acclaimed indie hit, from start to finish!
Ten years after the Rapture, a beautiful occultist and her pet demon embark on a road trip to the last open gateway to heaven, in hopes of befriending God and escaping hell on earth. A bare-knuckle, action-driven series, peppered with social commentary and dark humor, Strange Girl is a story about the bewildering nature of religion, what would happen if the dark future predicted by many came true, and what a good person would endure for not having faith in advance of it. Featuring story and art by a handful of today’s hottest new talents including RICK REMENDER (Uncanny X-Force, Venom), ERIC NGUYEN (Halo, Sandman), JEROME OPENA (Uncanny X-Force, Punisher) and NICK STAKAL (Criminal Macabre).
Collects STRANGE GIRL #1-18
“Strange girl is exactly that. Strange, plus she’s a girl. But it’s so much more. Redemption, demons, magic spells, hopelessness, friendship and belly-shirts. Rick Remender takes a loving, nostalgic look at the coming apocalypse.” – Patton Oswalt

WITCHBLADE: REDEMPTION, VOL. 3 TP
story RON MARZ
art STJEPAN SEJIC & MATTHEW DOW SMITH
cover STJEPAN SEJIC
JULY 13, 160 pages, FC, STANDARD SIZE, $19.99
New York City Detective Sara Pezzini is once more in sole control of the powerful, mystical gauntlet known as the Witchblade. She is finally returning to normal, only Sara's version of "normal" includes investigating the city's strangest mystical crimes. Included in this volume is a mystery with "Paper Monsters," a solo adventure with Sara's partner and boyfriend Patrick Gleason, and a retelling of Sara's origin story. Written by RON MARZ (ARTIFACTS, MAGDALENA) and with art by STJEPAN SEJIC (ANGELUS) and special guest artist MATTHEW DOW SMITH (Doctor Who). Featuring a complete cover gallery, a behind-the-scenes section and more!
Collects WITCHBLADE #140-143, plus the over-sized 15th anniversary issue #144.

Image and Top Cow Solicitations: June 2011 Highlights

While continuing to read and enjoy pretty much everything published that falls within the Top Cow Universe, over recent months I've been enjoying discovering some of the fantastic titles that Image Comics publishes. With that in mind, I'm going to expand my monthly look at the Top Cow solicitations to include highlights from both companies.

In June we can expect a number of new ongoing and mini-series, the continuation of some perennial favourites along with several very welcome collections.

There are a number of intriguing first issues that have caught my eye - Graveyard of Empires from Grounded co-creators Mark Sable and Paul Azaceta looks interesting and features 32 full pages of story; from the pen (keyboard) of Ron Marz comes a tale of samurai and vampires with the first issue of Shinku while continuing the theme, through it's title at least, Samurai's Blood sounds like a very enjoyable story and a potential bargain for just one dollar.

The Trailblazer one-shot promises an enjoyable mix of assassins, witness protection and the Old West and features a one in ten variant cover from Amanda Conner while the latest issue of Elephantmen looks like a good jumping-on point and features the art of Bulletproof Coffin's Shaky Kane.

Perennial favourites are represented by Artifacts from Ron Marz, Jeremy Haun and Sunny Gho, The Darkness from Phil Hester and Sheldon Mitchell and, again from Ron Marz with fantastic interior and cover art from Stjepan Sejic.

Finally, we can look forward to collected editions featuring the first six issues of Dreams of Darkchylde, a new printing of The Darkness Compendium including the first 40 issues (!) of The Darkness and, from Minotaur Press, a hardcover collection of Echoes from Joshua Hale Fialkov and Rahsan Ekedal that includes the first five issues of the series.

For full details of the June 2011 Image and Top Cow solicitations head over to CBR, Image Comics and Top Cow Productions.

SHINKU #1
story RON MARZ
art & cover LEE MODER, MATTHEW WAITE & MICHAEL ATIYEH
June 1, 32 pages, FC, $2.99
“THRONE OF BLOOD,” Part One
The sole surviving descendant of a once-proud samurai clan, Shinku wages a solo war against a powerful vampire clan that has lurked in the shadows for centuries. An epic of horror and martial arts set in modern Japan, but with roots in the feudal past, writer RON MARZ (WITCHBLADE, ARTIFACTS) and artist LEE MODER (Wonder Woman, Legion of Super-Heroes) will serve up sexy, bloody, ongoing action every month. If you're looking for vampires that sparkle ... this ain't it.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

SAMURAI’S BLOOD #1 (of 6)
story OWEN WISEMAN
art NAM KIM, MATTHEW DALTON & JESSICA KHOLINNE
cover JO CHEN
June 8, 32 pages, FC, $1.00
In an era when lineage defined you, three teenagers must make their way through the world hiding their identities in order to find their destinies. As their village burns behind them, they are headed for a city they’d heard about only in stories. The three young samurai must now struggle to stay alive and take vengeance on the evil usurper who has destroyed the rest of their clan and the only world they’d ever known. Will they rise on the tides of vengeance, or they will they fall on the swords of fate?

TRAILBLAZER (ONE-SHOT)
story JUSTIN GRAY & JIMMY PALMIOTTI
art & JiM DALY lll, JIMMY PALMIOTTI & PAUL MOUNTS
cover DAVE JOHNSON
1:10 variant cover AMANDA CONNER
June 15, 48 pages, FC, $5.99
When the woman that raised him is murdered, an assassin turns states evidence against his employers and is given a once in a lifetime chance to enter Operation Trailblazer - the most unique witness protection program in the world. Sent back in time to the Old West, the assassin begins a new life, but it isn’t long before his past and the future catches up with him.

GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES #1 (of 4)
story MARK SABLE
art & cover PAUL AZACETA
JUNE 15, 32 pages, FC, $3.99
Afghanistan. Marines face a never-ending onslaught of Taliban. But even hell can get worse. The dead are coming back to life in The Graveyard of Empires, and only together can both sides of the today’s conflict survive tomorrow’s undead assault. Writer MARK SABLE (Unthinkable, Two-Face Year One) reunites with his GROUNDED co-creator, PAUL AZACETA (Amazing Spider-Man) to tell this controversial tale of terror.
32 FULL PAGES OF STORY!

ARTIFACTS #10 (of 13)
story RON MARZ
art JEREMY HAUN & SUNNY GHO
cover A
cover B JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
June 29, 40 pages, FC, $3.99
THE FINAL BATTLE COMMENCES!
The Survivor’s true nature has been revealed and his plans to remake our world move forward with machine like precision. Will Sara Pezzini, Jackie Estacado, and their allies solve the mystery of his identity in time to prevent Armageddon? What sacrifices will need to be made to save our world? The stage is set for the final confrontation!
PLUS: Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by RON MARZ and drawn by a superstar artist.
RETAILER INCENTIVES AVAILABLE. SEE ORDER FORM FOR DETAILS!
ALSO AVAILABLE
ARTIFACTS #5 TOP COW STORE B&W EXCLUSIVE VARIANT COVER BY WHILCE PORTACIO $10.00

THE DARKNESS #93
story PHIL HESTER
art SHELDON MITCHELL
cover BANE
June 29, 32 pages, FC, $2.99
“OUTER DARKNESS,” Part Five
The Darkness declares all out war against its most rebellious bearer, Jackie Estacado! With a small group of loyal allies, Jackie must face down an army of doppelgangers, a scorned woman from his past, and the very source of his own power.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES
ALSO AVAILABLE
ARTIFACTS #6 C2E2 Exclusive Variant Cover by MICHAEL BROUSSARD - $10.00

ELEPHANTMEN #33
story RICHARD STARKINGS
art & cover SHAKY KANE
June 22, 40 pages, FC, $3.99
“THE BONES”
BULLETPROOF COFFIN artist and Legend, SHAKY KANE, joins ELEPHANTMEN for the freaky tale of Doctor Sebastian Bone and his wife, Victoria, and her lust for something belonging to Elephantmen.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

THE MICE TEMPLAR, VOL. 3 #6
story BRYAN J.L. GLASS & MICHAEL AVON OEMING
art VICTOR SANTOS
cover A MICHAEL AVON OEMING
cover B VICTOR SANTOS & VERONICA GANDINI
June 29, 32 pages, FC, $2.99
“SNOWBLIND”
The rebellion grows! Yet disaster follows when the idealistic youth E'Tan and Gabrielle join the resistance…and come face-to-face with Royal Consort Lorelie and a network of druid spies. And shocking news arrives concerning the fate of King Icarus! Meanwhile, Pilot the Tall and Harad battle side-by-side against rat forces, and the training of One-Arm Leito takes a dark and tragic turn when the young hero embraces vengeance!
The two-time Harvey Award-winning series continues, from the acclaimed writer of Thor: First Thunder and the co-creator of Powers and Takio!

MORIARTY #2
story DANIEL COREY
art & cover ANTHONY DIECIDUE
June 8, 34 pages, FC, $2.99
“THE DARK CHAMBER,” Part Two
Professor Moriarty is on the run: He has been framed for two murders, his identity exposed. Moriarty makes an uneasy alliance with the Jade Serpent, and together they must delve further into the world of the Black Hand and the mysterious device that holds the secret of the Dark Chamber.

NETHERWORLD #3 (of 5)
story BRYANN EDWARD HILL & ROB LEVIN
art & cover TONY SHASTEEN & JD METTLER
June 15, 32 pages, FC, $3.99
WE ARE ALL LOST!
Cut off from the Men in White, Ray and Madeline race to the train station through Netherworld's evil underbelly with Seth and Cyrus Kane's henchman in hot pursuit. Operatives are everywhere and they're out for blood. Will Ray be able to defend Madeline from the onslaught and help her escape? Or will his mission end before it begins?

WITCHBLADE #148
story RON MARZ
art & cover STJEPAN SEJIC
June 22, 32 pages, FC, $2.99
”TIAMAT,” Part Three
Despite her most valiant efforts, Sara Pezzini succumbs to the mythic power of the Babylonian God-Queen Tiamat. With the Balance out of the way, will Tiamat remake New York in her serpantine image?

DREAMS OF DARKCHYLDE, VOL. 1 TP
story RANDY QUEEN
art RANDY QUEEN, BRANDON PETERSON & RON ADRIAN
cover RANDY QUEEN
June 22, 160 pages, FC, $16.99
Ariel Chylde is the girl cursed to become any of the creatures from her many Nightmares. But have the shadows circled all her life? Now we go deeper. Into her past. Into her dreams. Where fears roam, and truth is never a friend. New Collection and Cover by RANDY QUEEN.
Collects DREAMS OF DARKCHYLDE #1-6
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

THE DARKNESS COMPENDIUM, VOL. 1 TP (NEW PRINTING)
story GARTH ENNIS, DAVID WOHL, MALACHI CONEY, SCOTT LOBDELL & PAUL JENKINS
art MARC SILVESTRI, JOE BENITEZ, CLARENCE LANSANG, BILLY TAN, DAVID FINCH & DALE KEOWN
cover MARC SILVESTRI
June 8, 1280 pages, FC, STANDARD SIZE, $99.99
Mafia hitman Jackie Estacado was both blessed and cursed on his 21st birthday when he became the bearer of The Darkness, an elemental force that allows those who wield it access to an otherworldly dimension and control over the demons who dwell there. Go back to the beginning and discover Jackie’s first encounters with the Witchblade gauntlet, The Angelus, Sonatine, and Ian Nottingham.
Collects THE DARKNESS vol. 1 #1-40, plus TALES OF THE DARKNESS & more!

ECHOES, VOL. 1 HC
story JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV
art & cover RAHSAN EKEDAL
June 22, 144 pages, PC, DIGEST SIZE, $19.99
From acclaimed author JOSHUA HALE FIAKOV (Tumor, PILOT SEASON: ALIBI) and rising artist RAHSAN EKEDAL (Creepy) a disturbing story of murder and mystery wrapped in questions of sanity. Minotaur Press premieres with a story of madness, family and death. Brian Cohn was learning to deal with the schizophrenia inherited from his father. Supportive wife, new baby on the way, drugs to control the voices. But, when at his father's deathbed, he learns that he also inherited the trophies of his father's career as a serial killer, his illness threatens to send him further down the path to madness and?
Collects ECHOES #1-5
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES

Top Cow Solicitations May 2011

As we've come to expect from Top Cow, there are some real gems among their new releases in May 2011.

We enter the final act of Ron Marz's Artifacts thirteen-issue saga with the arrival of issue #9, Phil Hester's great work continues with the arrival of The Darkness issue #93 and one of my perennial favourites Witchblade, again written by Ron Marz, features the second part of the 'Tiamat' story-arc.

Even though the first issue hasn't been published yet I'm really looking forward to picking up the second installment of Bryan Edward Hill and Rob Levin's Neverworld five-issue mini-series and, as I've said in the past, while there aren't many titles that I'll buy in single issue and then again as part of a collection I'm going to be ordering the 160 page Pilot Season 2010 collection.

Finally, brand new this month from Top Cow imprint Minotaur Press comes the first issue of a four-part mini-series written by John Mahoney and Filip Sablik entitled Last Mortal - head over to the Top Cow website to find out more.

ARTIFACTS #9 (of 13)
story by RON MARZ, art JEREMY HAUN, cover A by ERIC CANETE, cover B by DALE KEOWN, cover C by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
May 25, 40 pages, FC, $3.99
APOCALYPSE APPROACHES!
As the final act of Artifacts begins the lines have been drawn and the ultimate battle for the fate of the Top Cow Universe begins. The alliance formed by Sara Pezzini, bearer of the Witchblade and Jackie Estacado, host of The Darkness, has been battered to the edge of defeat. Meanwhile, the antagonist’s machinations have gone exactly as planned and his bearers move to bring about Armaggedon to remake the world. One question remains... what role will Sara and Jackie’s daughter Hope play in the end of the Universe?
PLUS: Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by RON MARZ and drawn by a superstar artist.

THE DARKNESS #93
story by PHIL HESTER, art by SHELDON MITCHELL, cover by BANE
May 18, 32 pages, FC, $2.99
"OUTER DARKNESS" Part Four
Even as The Darkness itself moves against its rebellious host, Jackie Estacado, he realizes that there is another entity marshaling forces against him. Who is the skeleton in Jackie’s closet that has come back seeking revenge and possibly control of The Darkness? Find out in this issue!

NETHERWORLD #2 (of 5)
story by BRYAN EDWARD HILL & ROB LEVIN, art & cover by TONY SHASTEEN & JD METTLER
May 11, 32 pages, FC, $3.99
Motivated by curiosity, Ray has rescued Madeline, an ordinary girl prized by both the criminal underworld of the City and an alluring woman in white. Now as the truth of the City is revealed to Ray, he will be faced with the decision to continue to look out for himself or save everyone. When everything you know is a lie, how do you find the truth?

WITCHBLADE #147
story by RON MARZ, art & cover by STJEPAN SEJIC
May 18, 32 pages, FC, $2.99
"TIAMAT" Part Two
In modern day New York, the ancient Babylonian goddess Tiamat seeks vengeance upon current Witchblade bearer, Sara Pezzini, to settle an ancient score. With the weight of recent events bearing down on her, can Sara possibly stave off a power older than civilization itself? Join longtime writer RON MARZ (ARTIFACTS, MAGDALENA) and collaborator STJEPAN SEJIC (BROKEN TRINITY, ANGELUS) as they charge towards the landmark issue #150!

PILOT SEASON, VOL. 4: 2010 trade paperback
story by WILLIAMS HARMS, BRAD INGELSBY, JEFF KATZ, BRYAN EDWARD HILL, ROB LEVIN & FILIP SABLIK, art & cover by TOP COW’S FINEST
May 18, 160 pages, FC, $19.99
OVER ONE MILLION VOTES CAST!
Top Cow’s annual Pilot Season competition draws unprecedented fan and media attention and 2010’s crop of competitors was no different. Featuring a variety of creators, genres, and unique ideas, Pilot Season showcases five original series each presented in a “pilot issue”, which fans then voted on to determine which series would continue. This year’s crop included reinventions of the bank heist, sci-fi conspiracy, supernatural revenge, action-thriller espionage, and deadly femme fatale. In the end, only one series emerged victorious!
Collects the pilot issues of 39 MINUTES, ASSET, CROSSHAIR, FOREVER, and 7 DAYS FROM HELL, along with a cover gallery, behind-the-scenes extras, and commentary from the creators.


LAST MORTAL #1 (of 4)
story by JOHN MAHONEY & FILIP SABLIK, art & cover by THOMAS NACHLIK
May 25, 32 pages, BW, $3.99
Alec King is a born loser. A small time criminal who has never succeeded at anything in life and whose fear of failure has crippled him. When his only friend, Brian, the brains and charm of their two-man operation, convinces Alec to help him with a hit contract on a mayoral candidate his life unravels to rock bottom. But sometimes we need to hit rock bottom to begin the climb towards a better day ...


The images used here are for illustration purposes only - the full Image and Top Cow solicitations for April and May 2011 can be found over at Newsarama while further information about all these books, and more, at the Top Cow website.

Top Cow Solicitations - March 2011

A little later than usual here are the Top Cow solicitations for March 2011. Looking down the list there's plenty of goodness coming our way that month with the penultimate issue of Troy Hickman's Twilight Guardian, the second volume of Witchblade Redemption which includes a series of stand-alone Witchblade stories originally printed in issues #137-141, the third volume of Darkness: Origins collecting classic issues #11-18 and a number of fantastic signed and variant editions.

Magdalena #8
Written by Ron Marz, art by Keu Cha, cover by Keu Cha, Nelson Blake II
Artist Keu Cha Returns to Comics!
Patience, the current Magdalena, has defended the church from demons, cultists, and even other Artifact bearers. Will she be able to survive against another Magdalena candidate? Or will she become the next in a long line of martyred Magdalenas?
Classic Top Cow artist Keu Cha (Witchblade, Rising Stars) reunites for a special two-issue arc with series author Ron Marz (Artifacts). Featuring a painted cover by Cha and a striking cover by series artist Nelson Blake II (Pilot Season: Murderer).
Full Colour, 32 pages, $3.99, ongoing series, expected ship date 23 March 2011

Twilight Guardian #3
Written by Troy Hickman, art by Siddharth Kotian, cover by Jeffrey Spokes
The Pilot Season Winner Returns in “Heroes and Villains” Part 3!
It’s a case of multiple personalities as Twilight Guardian is pitched several possible interpretations of her tireless war on crime in her very own comic book! Which identity will Twilight Guardian choose? And has her arch villain Dusk Devil finally come to confront her on her home turf?
Eisner-nominated creator and writer Troy Hickman (Common Grounds) and talented up-and-coming artist Siddharth Kotian (Eat The Dead) continue the highly anticipated four-issue mini-series. Issue #3 features a portrait of Twilight Guardians by Jeffrey Spokes (Witchblade, Irredeemable).
Full colour, 32 pages, $3.99, limited series, expected ship date 9 March 2011

The Darkness #92
Written by Phil Hester, art by Sheldon Mitchell, cover by Bane
”Outer Darkness” Part 3 of 6!
The battle between Jackie Estacado and the very source of his power, The Darkness ensues in earnest! Estacado has been lied to, beaten down, and betrayed over and over again over the last few years; but he has also studied, learned, and grown. Will Jackie Estacado take control of his destiny or will he end up another in a long line of pawns for The Darkness?
Full colour, 32 pages, $2.99, ongoing series, expected ship date 16 March 2011

Artifacts #8
Written by Ron Marz, art by Whilce Portacio, cover by Whilce Portacio, John Tyler Christopher
Mass Combat!
The combined forces of the Artifact bearers aligned with Witchblade bearer Sara Pezzini and The Darkness host Jackie Estacado have reached a truce with the cybernetic heroes of Cyberforce. They’ve fought off the relentless assassin Aphrodite IV, but that was only the beginning. Pushed to the limit, can they defeat a force that dwarfs everything they’ve faced before?
From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade, Magdalena) and legendary artist Whilce Portacio (The Darkness, Uncanny X-Men) bring the second chapter of the epic event series to a thunderous conclusion. Featuring a gorgeous cover by Portacio as well as a variant cover featuring Alina Enstrom by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).
Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.
Full colour, 32 pages, $3.99, limited series, expected ship date 23 March 2011

Echoes #4
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, art by Rahsan Ekedal, cover by Rahsan Ekedal
A Tale of Suspense and Psychological Horror!
Brian Cohn is living a nightmare. His recently deceased father, who Brian shares the disease of schizophrenia with, confessed to being a serial killer of little girls on his death bed. Now Brian is racing to solve the mystery of a missing child in his town, all the while feeling his condition taking a deeper and deeper grip on his psyche and his mind beginning to unravel.
From acclaimed author Joshua Hale Fialkov (Tumor, Pilot Season: Alibi) and rising star artist Rahsan Ekedal (Creepy) a disturbing story of murder and mystery wrapped in questions of sanity.
“This is an absolute buy. I can’t recommend it enough.” – Graphic Policy
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a more gripping and inventive psychological thriller in any medium.” – Panels on Pages
Grayscale, 32 pages, $2.99, limited series, expected ship date 23 March 2011


Witchblade Redemption Volume 2 Trade Paperback
Written by Ron Marz, Phil Smith, art by Stjepan Sejic, Michael Gaydos, Alina Urusov, cover by Stjepan Sejic
Redemption Meets Artifacts!
Sara Pezzini, current bearer of the Witchblade, has been to Hell and back. As she finally begins to get her private and work life back in order, the Universe decides it has other plans. Sara must help a kindred spirit in Abby van Alstine, the Necromancer, deal with her powers and mantle and then is dragged into the epic Artifacts storyline when her daughter Hope is taken and her sister Julie is killed by the same robotic assassin Sara let get away in the recent past.
Collected in this volume are a series of stand-alone Witchblade stories originally printed in issues #137-141 written by Top Cow architect Ron Marz (Artifacts, Magdalena) and featuring art by Stjepan Sejic (Angelus). Also included as a special bonus is Witchblade: Due Process by Top Cow Holiday Special team Phil Smith and Alina Urusov. Featuring behind-the-scenes sketches, script pages, and cover gallery by Sejic, Eisner award winner Michael Gaydos (Alias), Urusov and Randy Queen (Darkchylde).
“Marz and Sejic as they continue to drive the Witchblade title to new heights with great stories and great artwork.” – Comic Attack
“I can’t say enough great things about this book.” – Image Addiction
“Compelling storytelling, beautiful artwork and dynamic characters make this a series not to be missed.” – Weekly Comic Review
“... a first-rate book that I thoroughly enjoyed.” – Best Shots @Newsarama
Full colour, 160 pages, $19.99, trade paperback, expected ship date 16 March 2011

Darkness Origins Volume 3 Trade Paperback
Written by Garth Ennis, Malachy Coney, art by Marc Silvestri, Joe Benitez, cover by Joe Benitez
Sonatine Returns and The Magdalena Debuts!
Go back and see Jackie Estacado as a fledgling bearer of The Darkness as The Darkness Origins trade line continues. Jackie’s life is turned further upside down when his foster sister, Appolonia Franchetti returns to New York and the ruthless mafia princess soon plots to become the next Angelus in order to crush her sibling. Soon after, Jackie is confronted by yet another righteous woman who wishes to see him dead – the Magdalena!
Collected in this volume are classic issues #11-18 by Garth Ennis (Preacher) and Malachy Coney with art by Marc Silvestri (X-Men/Dark Avengers: Utopia) and Joe Benitez (Lady Mechanika).
Full colour, 160 pages, $19.99, trade paperback, expected Ship Date 2 March 2011

Witchblade Volume 1 Deluxe Slipcase
Written by Ron Marz, art by Michael Choi, Chris Bachelo, Stephen Sadowski, Stjepan Sejic, and Top Cow’s Finest, cover by Stjepan Sejic
Available for the first time, this limited edition beautiful slipcase collects Witchblade Volume 1 through 4 by Ron Marz (Artifacts) at a bargain price. These volumes collect issues #80 through #109. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 820 pages, $49.99, Set (x4 Trades), expected ship date 30 March 2011

Witchblade #139 Randy Queen LBCC Variant Cover
Written by Ron Marz, art by Michael Gaydos, cover by Randy Queen
Get this exclusive convention variant cover by Randy Queen (Darkchylde), previously available only at Long Beach Comic-Con. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $10.00, variant exclusive

Artifacts #2 New York Comic-Con Variant Cover Signed Edition
Written by Ron Marz, art by Michael Broussard, cover by Stjepan Sejic
Get this haunting convention variant cover of Aphrodite IV signed by interior artist Michael Broussard, previously available exclusively at New York Comic-Con. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $19.99, signed edition

Magdalena #7 Signed Edition
Written by Ron Marz, art by Keu Cha, cover by Nelson Blake II
Get a limited edition first issue signed by Ron Marz, Keu Cha, and Nelson Blake II. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $14.99, signed edition

Twilight Guardian #1 Signed Edition
Written by Troy Hickman, art by Siddharth Kotian, cover by Eric Jones
Get a limited edition first issue signed by creator and writer Troy Hickman. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $14.99, signed edition

Top Cow Solicitations - February 2011

February looks like being another fantastic month for new releases from Top Cow - I'm looking forward to picking up several of these titles including the Broken Trinity (Volume 2) Pandora’s Box trade paperback, the second issue of Troy Hickman's Twilight Guardian, The Darkness #91 written by Phil Hester and Magdalena #7 from Ron Marz, Keu Cha and Nelson Blake II.

Broken Trinity Volume 2 Pandora’s Box Trade Paperback
Written by Bryan Edward Hill, Rob Levin, art by Alessandro Vitti, Facundo Percio, cover by Tommy Lee Edwards
A New Artifact Emerges!
Michael “Finn” Finnegan, bearer of the Glacier Stone, and Glorianna “Glori” Silver, bearer of the Ember Stone, have been told that they are predestined to fight and destroy each other. When a charismatic cult leader named Elias Legion moves to remake the world using a lost Artifact known as Pandora’s Box, will Finn and Glori be able to set aside their differences to combat a larger threat or will fate dictate their inevitable clash?
Collected in this volume are issues #1-6 of the world-spanning, pulse-pounding sequel to Broken Trinity Volume 1. Written by the Pilot Season: 7 Days From Hell team of Bryan Edward Hill and Rob Levin with art by Alessandro Vitti (Secret Warriors) and Facundo Percio (Anna Mercury). Featuring behind-the-scenes sketches, script pages, and cover gallery by Tommy Lee Edwards (Turf).
“... grand action and ... a visual treat ...” – Broken Frontier
“... religious zealots, ninja, mystical creatures, and a high body count, so what else could you ask for?” – Comic Attack
“The ‘two enemies somewhat united by a shared enemy’ angle isn’t new ... But it is the execution here that makes the difference.” – Best Shots @Newsarama
Full colour, 160 pages, $19.99, trade paperback, expected ship date 16 February 2010

Twilight Guardian #2 (of 4)
Written by Troy Hickman, art by Siddharth Kotian, cover by John Tyler Christopher
The Pilot Season Winner Returns!
Twilight Guardian, the lone defender of her suburban neighborhood, has often longed for contemporaries to share crime-fighting tactics with. When she is invited to a local comic convention to join a league of Real Life Superheroes, Twilight Guardian becomes embroiled in solving a heinous crime that will require their collective talents to solve!
Eisner-nominated creator and writer Troy Hickman (Common Grounds) and talented up-and-coming artist Siddharth Kotian (Eat The Dead) continue the highly anticipated four-issue mini-series. Issue #2 features a classic team cover by John Tyler Christopher (Artifacts, Witchblade).
Full colour, 32 pages, $3.99, limited series, expected ship date 9 February 2010

The Darkness #91
Written by Phil Hester, art by Sheldon Mitchell, cover by Bane
”Outer Darkness” Part 2 of 6!
The battle between Jackie Estacado and the very source of his power, The Darkness ensues in earnest! Estacado has been lied to, beaten down, and betrayed over and over again over the last few years; but he has also studied, learned, and grown. Will Jackie Estacado take control of his destiny or will he end up another in a long line of pawns for The Darkness?
Full colour, 32 pages, $2.99, ongoing series, expected ship date 2 February 2010

Magdalena #7
Written by Ron Marz, art by Keu Cha, cover by Keu Cha, Nelson Blake II
Artist Keu Cha Returns to Comics!
Patience, the current Magdalena, has managed to follow her faith without bowing down to the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. However, the patience of the power brokers at the Vatican has run out, and they're conspiring to replace her. But how is a new Magdalena ordained when the previous one is still active?
Classic Top Cow artist Keu Cha (Witchblade, Rising Stars) reunites for a special two-issue arc with series author Ron Marz (Artifacts). Featuring a painted cover by Cha and a striking cover by series artist Nelson Blake II (Pilot Season: Murderer).
Full colour, 32 pages, $3.99, ongoing series, expected ship date 9 February 2010


Artifacts #7 (of 13)
Written by Ron Marz, art by Whilce Portacio, cover by JP Leon, John Tyler Christopher
The Art of War!
Distracted by the battle with Cyberforce and the android assassin Aphrodite IV, the Artifact Bearers trying to prevent the end of the Top Cow Universe are unaware that, in a distant corner of the world, the war might already be lost. The mysterious 13th Artifact Bearer holds in his hands the power to tip the scales. Has he already been seduced by the villainous architect of the master plan?
From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade, Magdalena) and legendary artist Whilce Portacio (The Darkness, Uncanny X-Men) comes an event series, which will literally shake the Top Cow Universe to its foundation. Featuring a gorgeous cover by JP Leon (Winter Men, Earth X) as well as a variant cover featuring Ian Nottingham by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).
Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.
Full colour, 32 pages, $3.99, limited series, expected ship date 23 February 2010

Echoes #3 (of 5)
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, art by Rahsan Ekedal, cover by Rahsan Ekedal
A Tale of Suspense and Psychological Horror!
Detective Robert Neville has been helpful to Brian Cohn, who is finding himself a potential suspect in a missing child case. But when the opportunity presents itself to shift the suspicion to another person will Brian be able to do it? Particularly since he suspects that he may be a serial killer like his father?
From acclaimed author Joshua Hale Fialkov (Tumor, Pilot Season: Alibi) and rising star artist Rahsan Ekedal (Creepy) a disturbing story of murder and mystery wrapped in questions of sanity.
Grayscale, 32 pages, $2.99, limited series, expected ship date 23 February 2010

Magdalena #1 C2E2 Variant Cover Signed Edition
Written by Ron Marz, art by Nelson Blake II , cover by Nelson Blake II
Get this stunning wraparound convention variant cover signed by cover and interior artist Nelson Blake II, previously available exclusively at C2E2. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $19.99, Convention exclusive

Magdalena Nelson Blake Lithograph Signed & Numbered
Art by Nelson Blake II, Dave McCaig
Get the limited edition cover image of Magdalena by Nelson Blake II & Dave McCaig for your office, bedroom, or comic room wall as a high end signed & numbered 11” x 17” lithograph! Ships in a protective sleeve with a certificate of authenticity. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, $29.99, Lithograph

Artifacts #1 San Diego Comic-Con Variant Cover Signed Edition
Written by Ron Marz, art by Michael Broussard, cover by Michael Broussard
Get this stunning wraparound convention variant cover signed by cover and interior artist Michael Broussard, previously available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $19.99, Signed edition

Witchblade #139 Michael Gaydos Variant Cover
Written by Ron Marz, art by Michael Gaydos, cover by Michael Gaydos
Get this surprise variant cover by special guest artist Michael Gaydos (Alias) commemorating the passing of Julie Pezzini, previously available only as a 1-in-10 random variant. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $10.00, Variant exclusive

Broken Trinity Reader Set
Written by Ron Marz, Phil Hester, art by Stjepan Sejic, Top Cow’s Finest, cover by Top Cow’s Finest
Your last chance to get a complete set of the original single-issue comics that introduced Finn and Glori at a bargain price! Set includes Broken Trinity #1-3, Broken Trinity: The Darkness #1, Broken Trinity: Angelus #1, Broken Trinity: Witchblade #1, and Broken Trinity: Aftermath #1. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $14.99, Set (x7 Comics)

Top Cow Solicitations - January 2011

January 2011 looks like being a somewhat quieter (and therefore thankfully cheaper!) month for readers of Top Cow's books: alongside new issues of Artifacts, Witchblade and Echoes, we've got the first of a four-issue mini featuring the winner of 2008’s Pilot Season Twilight Guardian, convention variants for the collectors and a number of eye-catching trade paperbacks including Magdalena and a new printing of Madame Mirage.

Twilight Guardian #1 (of 4)
Written by Troy Hickman, art by Siddharth Kotian, cover by Eric Jones
The Pilot Season Winner Returns!
The tale of a lone, dedicated hero patrolling her nine block suburban neighborhood captured the imaginations of fans during 2008’s Pilot Season and after heated voting emerged as one of the winning titles.
Now Eisner-nominated creator and writer Troy Hickman (Common Grounds) returns with a four issue limited series, which will delve into Twilight Guardian’s past, her motivations for crime fighting, and even give her an arch-nemesis in the terrifying Dusk Devil! Joining Hickman is talented up-and-coming artist Siddharth Kotian (Eat The Dead). Issue #1 features a beautiful painted cover by Eric Jones (Hack/Slash, Unknown).
Full Colour, 32 pages, $3.99, limited series, expected ship date January 12th, 2011

Artifacts #6 (of 13)
Written by Ron Marz, art by Whilce Portacio, covers by Phil Noto, John Tyler Christopher
The Battle Begins in Earnest!
The mysterious villain's plans continue to unfold with deadly precision as Witchblade, The Darkness, Angelus, Tom Judge, and Magdalena are drawn into a conflict with the heroes of Cyberforce. But even as friends become foes, Aphrodite IV arrives with murderous intentions. Can an opponent who doesn’t tire or even feel pain be defeated?
From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade, Magdalena) and legendary artist Whilce Portacio (The Darkness, Uncanny X-Men) comes an event series, which will literally shake the Top Cow Universe to its foundation. Featuring a gorgeous cover by Phil Noto (Pilot Season: 7 Days From Hell, Jonah Hex) as well as a variant cover featuring Aphrodite IV by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).
Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.
Full Colour, 32 pages, $3.99, limited series, expected ship date January 26th, 2011

Witchblade #145
Written by Ron Marz, art by Stjepan Sejic, cover by Stjepan Sejic
”Boogey Man” Part 1 of 2!
Sara Pezzini has investigated countless bizarre crimes, but her latest case may be the most shocking yet! Pezzini and her detective partner have encountered monsters and demons before, but these latest supernatural terrors seem to be born from the imagination of an innocent child.
Full Colour, 32 pages, $3.99, ongoing series, expected ship date January 26th, 2011

Echoes #2 (of 5)
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, art by Rahsan Ekedal, cover by Rahsan Ekedal
A Tale of Suspense and Psychological Horror!
Brian Cohn has discovered his recently deceased father may have been a serial killer. As Brian struggles what to do with his father’s legacy and flesh doll trophies, a young girl goes missing in town and when the police come to his door, Brian must question if he is responsible...
From acclaimed author Joshua Hale Fialkov (Tumor, Pilot Season: Alibi) and rising artist Rahsan Ekedal (Creepy) a disturbing story of murder and mystery wrapped in questions of sanity.
Grayscale 32 pages $2.99 limited series


Angelus Volume 1 Trade Paperback
Written by Ron Marz, art by Stjepan Sejic, cover by Stjepan Sejic
A New Heroine Takes Flight!
Danielle Baptiste is trying to find her place in the world, like so many other twenty-somethings. But unlike most girls her age, Dani is also the bearer of one of the primal forces in the Universe – the Angelus! Returning to her hometown of New Orleans with her friend and romantic interest Finch, Dani must not only shoulder the burden she has inherited, she has to survive it! But her ancient enemy, The Darkness, and even her own Angelus warriors have other plans…
Collected in this volume are issues #1-6 of the smash sellout series by the Witchblade creative team of Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic. Featuring behind-the-scenes sketches, script pages, and cover gallery by Sejic and Eric Basaldua.
“Stjepan Sejic… uses his brush to create almost fine art paintings for each page ...” – Crave Online
“This is definitely a must-read, so drop everything and run and pick it up.” – Geeks of Doom
“... an interesting storyline but also some killer art.” - Geekweek
“... this is a book to have an eye on.” – Best Shots @Newsarama
Full Colour, 160 pages, $14.99, trade paperback, expected ship date January 5th, 2011

Magdalena Volume 1 Trade Paperback
Written by Ron Marz, art by Nelson Blake II, cover by Ryan Sook
Legacy of the Magdalena Restored!
The Magdalena has been the official protector and warrior of the Catholic Church for over two thousand years, sworn to defend the Faith with the Spear of Destiny against all manner of supernatural threats. However, Patience, the latest Magdalena, has seen through the hypocrisy of her masters and struck out on her own. When her former mentor comes to her with a mission to destroy the Anti-Christ, will she be able to resist the call?
Collected in this volume are issues #1-6 of the hit series by writer Ron Marz (Witchblade, Artifacts) and the art team of Pilot Season: Murderer, Nelson Blake II, Sal Regla, and Dave McCaig. Featuring behind-the-scenes sketches, script pages, and cover gallery by Ryan Sook (Wednesday Comics)!
“... one absolutely gorgeous read ...fast, fluid, and packs a real punch ...” – Best Shots @Newsarama
“...provides readers with enough juice to fuel their appetite for more.” – Crave Online
“Marz proves you can take a well-worn story, completely re-tool it and make it your own.” - Geekweek
“The entire team from start to finish works wonderfully together ...” (5 out of 5) – Geeks of Doom
Full Colour, 160 pages, $14.99, trade paperback, expected ship date January 19th, 2011

Madame Mirage Volume 1 Trade Paperback (New Printing)
Written by Paul Dini, art by Kenneth Rocafort, cover by Kenneth Rocafort
The Out of Print Series Returns!
Who is this beautiful woman who appears out of the mist? As deadly as she is beautiful, she is cutting a bloody path through the city’s villains, who now wear suits and have “legitimate” businesses. But who is her ultimate prey? And how does this Mirage take form? These and many other questions will be asked along with the most pivotal question of all – Who is Madame Mirage?
Paul Dini (Tower Prep, Zatanna) and Kenneth Rocafort (Velocity) weave a tale of murder, intrigue and revenge in a world of high-tech espionage and treachery. This volume collects the complete first six-issue limited series. Madame Mirage – you’ll never forget her... if you can make her acquaintance and live to tell the tale...
“This book gets better with each issue.” – Best Shots @Newsarama
“The real brilliance of this tale is that, just as the reader decides they know exactly how the story will play out, Dini pulls the rug out from under them.” – IGN
“Pulpish and noir, mystery and intrigue coupled with great art.” - Crimespree Magazine
Full Colour, 176 pages, $14.99, trade paperback, expected ship date January 12nd, 2011

Witchblade #138 New York Comic-Con Variant Cover
Written by Ron Marz, art by Stjepan Sejic, cover by Stjepan Sejic
Get this convention variant cover by series artist Stjepan Sejic showing Sara Pezzini on the job, previously available exclusively at New York Comic-Con. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full Colour, 32 pages, $10.00, Convention Exclusive

Artifacts #2 New York Comic-Con Variant Cover
Written by Ron Marz, art by Michael Broussard, cover by Stjepan Sejic
Get this haunting convention variant cover by Witchblade artist Stjepan Sejic, previously available exclusively at New York Comic-Con. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full Colour, 32 pages, $10.00, Convention Exclusive

Artifacts #2 Armageddon Expo Variant Cover
Written by Ron Marz, art by Michael Broussard, cover by Georges Jeanty & John Tyler Christopher
Buffy artist Georges Jeanty teams with Artifacts cover artist John Tyler Christopher to create this fun “down under” cover, previously available exclusively at Armageddon Expo in Australia and New Zealand. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full Colour, 32 pages, $10.00, Convention Exclusive

Velocity #2 Project: Comic-Con Variant Cover
Written by Ron Marz, art by Kenneth Rocafort, cover by Kenneth Rocafort
Get this convention variant cover by series artist Kenneth Rocafort showing Velocity doing what she does best, previously available exclusively at Project: Comic-Con in St. Louis. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full Colour, 32 pages, $10.00, Convention Exclusive


Images shown are not necessarily the final covers.
Full details from Top Cow Productions.

News from Top Cow:Second Printing for Artifacts #2 and an In-Store Signing for Milo Ventimiglia

News today from publishers Top Cow regarding a sell-out for one of their books, as well as details of another in-store signing and discussion.

Firstly news that the second issue of the Top Cow title Artifacts has sold out at distributor level and a second printing of the book will be available at local shops this week.

Here's the press release in full:

ARTIFACTS RACE CONTINUES TO HEAT UP

ARTIFACTS #2 SOLD OUT AT DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL; GOES BACK FOR SECOND PRINTING

LOS ANGELES, Calif., October 26, 2010 – Artifacts, Top Cow’s latest Universe event series by writer Ron Marz (Witchblade) with the art team of Michael Broussard (The Darkness), Rick Basaldua (The Darkness), Sal Regla (Magdalena) and Sunny Gho of IFS (Velocity), experienced another sell out at the distributor level for its second issue. A second printing of Artifacts #2 has been sent to Diamond Comics Distributors to meet the demand and will be available in local comic stores tomorrow.

"The reception for Artifacts has been tremendously gratifying,” said Marz. “I feel like Artifacts #1 going back for a third printing was a pretty good indication that if you put together an event storyline that's accessible to new readers, people will give it a try.”

“So seems like Artifacts #2 selling out is an indication that those people are sticking with the series, which is hugely appreciated. I hope everyone is in for the long haul, because there's a lot more to come,” added Marz.

Separately, thirteen mystical artifacts guide the fate of the Universe. Together, thirteen Artifacts will end the Universe. When a mysterious antagonist kidnaps, Hope, the daughter of Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado, Armageddon is put into motion. Artifacts brings together a number of plot threads from all over the Top Cow Universe the past few years.

Artifacts #2 2nd Printing, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.99, will be in stores tomorrow, October 27, 2010. The saga continues with Artifacts #3 arriving in stores on November 17.

Secondly, news of an in-store appearance with DiVide Pictures’ Milo Ventimiglia (Peter Petrelli from Heroes of course) who will be appearing Wednesday 27 October at Borders in Torrance, Southern California. The store is located at 3700 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503.

Mr Ventimiglia will be signing and discussing the titles Rest and Berserker from 7pm.

Rest tells the story of John Barrett, a man in his late 20’s, whose life is going nowhere. He is stuck in a dead-end job with no friends and no future. When his best friend from college mysteriously resurfaces with news of a new wonder drug that replaces sleep, John falls into a conspiracy that threatens to change the course of human history. Written by Mark Powers (GI Joe) with art by Shawn McManus (Sandman) and Marco Castiello (Witchblade).

Berserker centers on Aaron and Farris, two young and completely different men who discover an animalistic and uncontrollable rage living inside them. Meanwhile, two mysterious organizations seek them out for their newfound strength and power for their own purposes. But what good is strength and power when you can’t tell friend from foe? From screenwriter Rick Loverd and artist Jeremy Haun (Chuck, Detective Comics) comes a raw, blood series in the spirit of Wanted!

As always, more details from Top Cow.

Top Cow Solicitations - December 2010

December looks like being a fantastic month for fans of the Top Cow U - in addition to the regular ongoing and limited series releases we can look forward to a whole load of annuals, Top Cow Store variants, one-shots, collected editions and the first issue of a new series published under the Minotaur imprint.

Here's my highlights ...

Witchblade #144
Written by Ron Marz, art by Stjepan Sejic, covers by Stjepan Sejic (A), Jean-Sebastien Rossbach (B)
Witchblade 15th Anniversary Issue!
In 1995, Marc Silvestri, Michael Turner, David Wohl, and Brian Haberlin created a new kind of comic heroine with the origin of Sara Pezzini, the latest in a long line of bearers of the mystical gauntlet known as the Witchblade. In an over-sized 15th Anniversary issue, Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic tell Sara’s origin from a new perspective, planting seeds that soon will bear deadly fruit!
Featuring two spellbinding covers including a wraparound retrospective by series artist Sejic and an iconic painting by fantasy illustrator Jean-Sebastien Rossbach (Magic: The Gathering). Also including special anniversary features, pin ups, and much more! Plus ask your retailer about a FREE matching digital download of this issue with purchase.
Full Colour, 48 pages, $4.99, ongoing series, expected ship date December 29th, 2010


Witchblade Annual 2010
Written by Ron Marz, art by Tony Shasteen, cover by Tom Feister (A), Tony Shasteen (B)
Witchblade 15th Anniversary Issue!
Sara Pezzini comes face to face with a former Witchblade bearer, a Russian soldier who served during the frozen Siege of Stalingrad, a pivotal battle in World War II. What tale does she have to tell Sara? Witchblade bearers past and present come together in a one-of-a-kind story, with amazing art by New York Times bestselling illustrator Tony Shasteen (The Talisman).
Featuring two striking covers by Tom Feister (GI Joe: Origins, The Darkness) and Tony Shasteen along with a bonus back up feature!
Full Colour, 48 pages, $4.99, annual, expected ship date December 15th, 2010






Top Cow Holiday 2010 Special
Written by Phil Smith, art by Alina Urusov, cover by Alina Urusov
Featuring Witchblade, The Darkness, Angelus, Magdalena, Cyberforce, Hunter-Killer and other Top Cow Universe favorites!
When a distraught mother surrenders her baby at a New York City fire station during a winter snowstorm, Sara Pezzini, Jackie Estacado, the Hunter-Killers, and other Top Cow Universe characters find themselves pulled together in the spirit of the holidays to aid the innocent newborn. What quickly becomes apparent is there are larger sinister forces at play here with the baby as the focal point of a supernatural event that will take Top Cow greatest heroes banding together to save, not only a city, but a single child as well.
Full Colour, 32 pages, $3.99, one shot, expected ship date December 15th, 2010






The Darkness #90
Written by Phil Hester, art by Sheldon Mitchell, cover by Bane
Outer Darkness, Part 2 of 6!
Jackie Estacado has risen from mob hitman to absolute kingpin. He has defeated countless enemies of indescribable power, and even ruled an entire country. Now the only enemy left is The Darkness itself, the very source of Jackie's power. Can he defeat it before it consumes the last shred of his humanity? And will the mysterious Foreigner join Jackie in battle, or simply put him out of his misery?
Full Colour, 32 pages, $2.99, ongoing series, expected ship date December 15th, 2010









Echoes #1 (of 5)
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, art by Rahsan Ekedal, cover by Rahsan Ekedal
The First Shocking Suspense Series from Minotaur!
Brian Cohn is a diagnosed schizophrenic leading a simple, uncomplicated life in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. He’s expecting his first child with his wife. When he goes to visit his estranged Alzheimer’s afflicted father on his deathbed, the dying old man confesses to being a serial killer. Now Brian is faced with discovering a horrifying new side to his father and left wondering if we ever really escape familial legacies.
From acclaimed author Joshua Hale Fialkov (Tumor, Pilot Season: Alibi) and rising artist Rahsan Ekedal (Creepy) a disturbing story of murder and mystery wrapped in questions of sanity.
Grayscale, 32 pages, $2.99, limited series





Artifacts #5 (of 13)
Written by Ron Marz, art by Whilce Portacio, cover by Nic Klein (A), John Tyler Christopher (B)
Your Second Chance to Jump In!
The first chapter of Artifacts concluded with a shocking cliffhanger and the second chapter shows no sign of letting up! With all of the players on the board, the antagonist manipulating the Bearers of the Artifacts moves to complete his plan for utter annihilation of the world. But how do the members of Cyberforce fit into the machinations of the supernatural?
From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade, Magdalena) and welcoming legendary artist Whilce Portacio (The Darkness, Uncanny X-Men) comes an event series, which will literally shake the Top Cow Universe to its foundation. Featuring a gorgeous cover by Nic Klein (Viking) as well as a variant cover featuring Michael “Finn” Finnegan by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).
Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backupWritten by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.
Full Colour, 32 pages, $3.99, limited series, expected ship date December 29th, 2010

Pilot Season: Stealth Sketch Top Cow Store Variant Cover
Written by Robert Kirkman, art by Sheldon Mitchell (Cov) Marc Silvestri
Get this limited edition sketch variant cover by co-creator Marc Silvestri, previously available exclusively from the Top Cow Store. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full Colour, 32 pages, $10.00, Top Cow Store Exclusive

Magdalena #6
Written by Ron Marz, art by Nelson Blake II, cover by Ryan Sook
Patience Confronts the Anti-Christ!
The moment Patience has been dreading has arrived. Slaying demons and battling evil cult members is righteous. Rebelling against a Church hierarchy she knows is corrupt is virtuous. But now, faced with executing a young boy who may bring about the end of the world, Patience will discover how far she's willing to go to wield the Spear of Destiny and bear the mantle of Magdalena…
Full Colour, 32 pages, $3.99, ongoing series, expected ship date December 22nd, 2010

Jingle Belle: Grounded Special
Written by Paul Dini, art by Stephanie Gladden, cover by Stephanie Gladden
A fan favorite holiday character returns!
When Jing again breaks her parents rules, she is forced to spend Christmas Eve GROUNDED. But when Santa is also caught in a lie, he has to share the same punishment! Neither father nor daughter can leave the North Pole until they apologize, and with the contentious Kringles not speaking to each other, Christmas is doomed!
Full Colour, 32 pages, $3.99, one shot, expected ship date December 1st, 2010

Jingle Belle: Stocking Stuffers TPB
Written by Paul Dini, art by Stephanie Gladden, Various, cover by Stephanie Gladden
A gigantic treasure trove of new and classic Jingle Belle stories!
When Jing again breaks her parents rules, she is forced to spend Christmas Eve GROUNDED. But when Santa is also caught in a lie, he has to share the same punishment! Neither father nor daughter can leave the North Pole until they apologize, and with the contentious Kringles not speaking to each other, Christmas is doomed! In SLAYBELLE, Jing teams up with Halloween witch Polly Green to create a new holiday horror movie. Their film features a psycho St. Nick’s helper (played by Jing) who offs mall Santas in gleefully gruesome ways. “It’s a Wonderful Life?” Not by a long shot!
The collection also features new and never before seen short stories, pin-ups and one-page strips staring Polly, Super Rica and Rashy, Ida Red, and other characters from the extended Jingle Belle universe. As a special bonus, it reprints the popular book-length story “Jingle Belle: Santa Claus VS Frankenstein!”
Full Colour, 120 pages, $14.99, trade paperback, expected ship date December 8th, 2010

Magdalena Origin Volume 1 Trade Paperback
Written by Malachy Coney, Marcia Chen, art by Joe Benitez, cover by Joe Benitez
Discover the Origin of the Magdalena!
Patience was not the first Magdalena. Not even the first to make her presence known in the modern Top Cow Universe. Go back and rediscover the origins of the Order of the Magdalena in this first of two “Origin” trade paperback volumes.
This collected edition includes the first appearance of the Magdalena by Malachy Coney and superstar Joe Benitez when she came to slay Jackie Estacado in The Darkness Vol. 1 #15-#18. Also collected in this edition is the first three issue limited series starring the Magdalena by Marcia Chen (Wriathborn) and Joe Benitez.
Full Colour, 176 pages, $14.99, trade paperback, expected ship date December 8th, 2010

The Darkness Accursed Volume 4 Trade Paperback
Written by Phil Hester, art by Phil Hester, Michael Broussard, Whilce Portacio, cover by Michael Broussard & Steve Firchow
Guest-Starring Hunter-Killer!
Jackie Estacado, the current bearer of The Darkness, was blackmailed and lied to by a devil calling himself The Sovereign. Now free from The Sovereign's grips, Jackie has assembled a motley crew of criminals with one goal - destroy every last one of The Sovereign's reliquaries. His quest will take him to the Florida Everglades, against the Russian Mob, and even into Fort Knox. Collecting issues #80-84 and featuring art by Michael Broussard (Artifacts), Phil Hester (Firebreather, Green Arrow), and comic industry legend Whilce Portacio (Uncanny X-Men).
“If you're ready to go deeper into a hard-boiled fantasy, then The Darkness could be for you.” – Newsarama
“... Hester totally hooked me ...” – Crave Online
“The Darkness maintains a steady quality that other comics only dream of attaining.” - OneMetal.com
“The Darkness continues to be one of the best books out there right now in terms of consistency.” – NFamous Gamers
Full Colour, 176 pages, $14.99, trade paperback, expected ship date December 22nd, 2010

Source: Top Cow Productions