MySpace Dark Horse Presents Volume 2

Variety is a major attraction of the 23 pieces selected from this publisher’s online smorgasbord for prospective comics buyers. The longest section features stories about three of Robert E. Howard’s larger-than-life, macho characters—Sailor Steve Costigan, Solomon Kane and Conan—prefaced with a wistfully vainglorious personal reflection by Howard himself. Otherwise, moods and styles vary wildly from one item to another. Cantankerous, violent humor from Evan Dorkin’s Milk and Cheese is not far from Jason Graham’s creepy kiddy story but also in the neighborhood of John Arcudi and Stephen Young’s gritty tale of the Old West acted out by talking beetles. Readers can jump from David Malki!’s surrealistic collages of 19th-century engravings to Francisco Ruiz Velasco’s occult trench warfare in the style of Warhammer; fans of continuing stories can catch a new episode of the Hellboy-related B.P.R.D. or the first independent appearance of Captain Hammer, nemesis of Dr. Horrible. If any of these fails to please readers, they can skip a few pages ahead and find something completely different. Dark Horse’s willingness to let creators try idiosyncratic projects is well and enjoyably displayed. (Mar.)
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In this volume you’ll find: The premiere of Zack and Joss Whedon’s superhero creation Captain Hammer, from the smash hit Dr. Hammer; an untold tale of The Umbrella Academy from Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba featuring the Kraken and Vanya as two rebellious teens, a unique look at Conan creator Robert E. Howard’s famous characters; the agents of Mike Mignola’s B.P.R.D. as they face off against a terrifying new foe; and a pair of smart and creepy passages from the ongoing tales of occult detective Cal McDonald via Steve Niles. It doesn’t stop there-this volume also features great stories from top industry talents like Tara McPherson, Evan Dorkin, Fabio Moon, Gilbert Hernadez, and Francisco Ruiz Velasco.