Independence Day #1
Written by Victor Gischler
Art by Steve Scott
Covers by Dio Neves, Lee Garbett, John McCrea
Titan Comics
Release Date: March 23, 2016
Cover Price: $3.99

In 1996, an alien armada attempted to destroy humanity in order to gain access to the precious natural resources that it needed to survive. Fortunately for mankind, a scientist and his eccentric father stumbled upon a way to temporarily bring down the defenses of this significantly more advanced race. Falling back on Morse code as a means to communicate with other military units across the globe, a plan was hatched to destroy the aliens’ shields and go on the offensive. Through determination and sheer luck, they won the day.

This series picks up right at the end of Independence Day and will be bridging the gap between that film and the upcoming sequel Independence Day: Resurgence, due out this June! So, without further ado, I present to you Independence Day #1 from Titan Comics!

Welcome, readers! Here you’ll find this week’s comics releases from Dark Horse Comics! There’s a new Angel & Faith graphic novel, a new Alabaster, and a new Harrow County. What more could we ask for, right? Here’s the full list in case that wasn’t enough for you.

Below you’ll find the solicitations information and cover artwork for all of Dark Horse Comics comic book titles released on December 2, 2015. My personal faves this week are Mystery Girl #1 and This Damned Band #5!

Red Sonja/Conan #1
Written by Victor Gischler
Art by Roberto Castro
Colors by Alex Guimaraes
Letters by Simon Bowland
Covers by Alex Ross, Ed Benes and Dinei Ribeiro, Roberto Castro and Dinei Ribeiro
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: August 5, 2015
Cover Price: $3.99

I love all things Conan. This is an indisputable fact, my friends will testify to it. That is, until this particular comic was delivered to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the Dark Horse led Conan/Red Sonja miniseries that preceded this Dynamite attempt. But Red Sonja/Conan #1 seemed…unnatural, for lack of a better word. Or maybe I’m critiquing it overmuch.

The Order of the Forge #3
Written by Victor Gischler
Illustrated by Tazio Bettin
Color Assisted by Enrica Eren Angiolini
Lettered by Nate Piekos of Blambot
Cover by Juan Ferreyra
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 24, 2015
Cover Price: $3.99

In The Order of the Forge #3 by Victor Gischler and Tazio Bettin, young George Washington and his super-powered allies are in a race to stop a madman from taking over the colonies. Will our founding fathers’ newly obtained powers help aid them in the discovery of an ancient Viking secret weapon, or will the weapon fall into the enemy’s hands first?

Going into The Order of the Forge, and after reading its official synopsis, I wasn’t anticipating a highly thought-provoking read; I was expecting entertaining action and a fun, engaging story. I’ll mention that up until this point, Gischler’s comic, while taking many liberties with the history of our nation’s early leaders, has been an enjoyable read. He takes some common knowledge regarding George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Paul Revere, and utilizes them as anchors for the enhanced abilities scenario — which makes for a wild, historical romp; however, the final issue of the mini-series is a bit of a letdown.

Dark Horse Comics has released a 7-page preview of Angel & Faith, Season 10 #1, which begins a new comic book season for the publisher’s continuation of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer expanded universe. Season 10, which is executive-produced by Buffy creator Joss Whedon, will be written by Victor Gischler with art by Will Conrad and colors by Michelle Madsen. Scott Fischer provided the cover for issue #1 (and it’s a truly gorgeous cover!).

Here below you can check out the 7-page preview and official solicitation for the 32-page full-color issue, which is currently available for pre-order, with a release date of April 2, 2014.

Fans of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel & Faith comics from Dark Horse Comics should be happy today to learn that both series will be coming back for new “seasons” in 2014, as was announced at New York Comic-Con 2013 this weekend.

There will be a slight creative team change as the old Angel & Faith team of writer Christos Gage and artist Rebekah Isaacs moving over to the main Buffy series. Taking over on Angel & Faith will be writer Victor Gischler (X-Men), with the art being handled by Will Conrad (Red Lanterns). Each series will run for 30 issues, with Buffy launching on March 19th, 2013 and Angel & Faith dropping on April 2nd.

The Shadow #12
Written by Victor Gischler
Art by Giovanni Timpano
Color by Ivan Nunes
Letters by Rob Steen
Covers by Alex Ross, Sean Chen, Tim Bradstreet and Francesco Francavilla
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: April 24, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

The Shadow #12 is yet another great entry in Dynamite Entertainment‘s pulp hero dynasty. What this company has done with near 100 year old heroes and mystery men is simply amazing. It also doesn’t hurt that they have a fantastic creative team for this book, either.

Victor Gischler goes above and beyond this issue. First off, his dialogue between LaMont Cranston and Magot Lane is straight out of a 1930’s movie. Cranston is high and aloof and Lane is the hopelessly in love girlfriend that’s trying to get him to spend at least ONE uninterupted dinner. From there, Gischler takes The Shadow right into “super hero” mode, which is fantastic. The Shadow’s inner monologues are fun, but sort of creepy. You’re still not sure exactly WHAT kind of hero that he is, and that’s really entertaining for the reader.

The Shadow #7
Written by Victor Gischler
Art by Jack Herbert
Colors by Ivan Nunes
Letters by Rob Steen
Covers by Alex Ross, Darwyn Cooke, John Cassaday & Francesco Francavilla
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: November 7, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

The Shadow #7 is a full-out 180-degree turn from the previous six issues, written by Garth Ennis. I know what you’re thinking…but trust me, this is a VERY VERY GOOD THING. Bringing in a brand new writer is always tough, but Dynamite Entertainment certainly picked a fantastic person to take the job.

Brand new author Victor Gischler explodes onto this title with a really solid issue. It’s one that clearly and totally sets up a whole new attitude for The Shadow. Instead of starting off with a giant, sprawling, epic, multi-part story, Gischler offers up an action packed one-shot that delves into the mind and heart of LaMont Cranston, and, as a result, The Shadow. He takes The Shadow back to his roots in Nepal where he was trained and studied under a mysterious group of Monks and where he learned how to cloud men’s minds and see what evil lurks within them. It’s a tale of self discovery and self awareness, and it’s a very entertaining read. Gischler packs more characterization into one issue than a lot of writers do in an entire six-issue story arc.

Hulk vs. Dracula announced this weekend at WonderCon 2011 features Dracula and his vampire army facing off against the big green guy.

This one sounds amusing at the very least. The story is supposed be an action-packed tie-in to the big Marvel event Fear Itself. This 3-issue miniseries brings the vampire story from the X-Men, the Death of Dracula story, and the upcoming Tomb of Dracula Presents: Throne of Blood together in one epic conclusion. The miniseries is written by Victor Gischler and illustrated by Ryan Stegman. Look for the first issue in comic book shops this September.

Gischler has previously worked on comics such as Punisher Max, Deadpool, X-Men, and Death of Dracula. He’s also written an eclectic mix of novels including Go-Go-Girls of the Apocalypse, and a crime novel called Pistol Monkeys among others. Ryan Stegman’s previous work can be seen in X-23, She-Hulks, and the Incredible Hercules.