Tag: Dark Horse Comics

Spec Deck: November 2019

Welcome to the first installment of Secret Society Comics’ Spec Deck! My name is Frank, and I will be your local resident comic book speculator. I’ve been collecting for 25 years and seen quite a few ups and downs in the secondary market. I love the story more than anything, but who doesn’t also like to know something they own holds value?

So with that in mind, take a gander at the official first five selections of Spec Deck.

Breathers #1

I really like simple but effective art, like what I am seeing here.  I always feel like books with this style are bound to become cult classics.

I really dislike almost all comics that claim to take place in a dystopian world though.  We get it, pretty much all possibilities at this point are bleak!

What gives this title a bit of an edge, though, is the extremely unique character dynamics that seem to be in play.  Reading this description you truly get a feel for what you are about to be dropped in to.

I have a really good feeling about this comic.  It will sell out and it will command between $20-$30 on the secondary market.  

Folklords #1

Full disclosure, I went all in on Once & Future and Something is Killing the Children.  (Like almost unhealthy amounts of effort were put in to getting every single last printing of the first issues.)  

So you may be surprised to hear that I don’t see Folklords being the same kind of surprise hit as ‘Once’ and ‘Children’ were.  Main reason being that we are all prepared for it this time.

BOOM! Studios: your local comic shop and every collector out there knows what just happened with ‘Once’ and ‘Children’ and no one wants to be caught with their pants down again.  

I will be picking this book up for sure; it sounds like a fun read.  But don’t look for it to spike in price at all any time soon.  Additionally, even if it were to be optioned some day, there are going to be a lot of speculators picking it up to re-sell.  If there ever is option news, the market will be saturated.  

This will be an easy book to obtain for years to come.  

Crone #1

This book is the hardest for me to gauge.  I want to say it could be a breakout hit, but at the same time… that is how I felt about Unearth and Sea of Stars at one point. 

Some books just look too good to be true.  Almost designed to stimulate certain aspects of the brain at first glance.  This one feels like a book that is going to be overordered.  

I also don’t love any catchline that is “equal parts this and that.” I think this is a solid pass for me and honestly it looks like future dollar bin fodder.  

I cannot stress enough though: if you think the story sounds cool, BUY IT!  That is what comics are for.  Speculating is just a fun side note.  

Crow Hark the Herald #1

I love Tim Seeley, I love Hack/Slash, I LOVE The Crow and loved Crow Hack/Slash. 

This book will not sell out and it will not go for any more than cover price any time soon.  However, I cannot imagine a future world where The Crow isn’t resurrected as a successful franchise.  There will be a day when The Crow merch, collectibles, and comics are a commodity.  

I’m getting this book because I literally love everything about it.  I don’t expect for it to ever be worth a fortune, but I do expect for it to hold its value or increase slightly in value over time, which is much more than most comics can say.

Rising Sun #1

Last but certainly not least is what could easily be the leader of the pack.  You always have to watch out for slick Japanese inspired art, it sells copies without a doubt. 

The description is short and sweet.  I’m left wanting to know more.  Sometimes you want to read an entire review of a comic or movie before jumping in to it.  However with something like a kung fu flick or a horror movie, you just want the very basic plot without anyone else’s interpretation of it.  

“Many monsters who are ravaging the country!”  

You don’t need to over explain something like that, I am sold and I think alot of other people will be as well. This is a book to watch out for, I can definitely see it selling out and going for anywhere between $6-$12 on the secondary market.  

Obviously long term potential is all about staying power. 

6 Comics to Pick up this Week (08/07/19)

ABSOLUTE CARNAGE #1 (of 5) AC

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Donny Cates (A/CA) Ryan Stegman

This MUCH anticipated story, created by Cates and Stegman (an ABSOLUTE power-house team), has promised to break comic book sale records — and we are holding our breath waiting to get our grubby little mitts on this comic.

Branching out into five additional mini-series that will run along-side the main title of ABSOLUTE CARNAGE, I am sure that this series will rock Marvel sales for the next few months. Donny Cates notoriously creates insanely captivating stories and new characters that I think we will see within the first three issues of the main series.
Buckle up, folks, because there will be CARNAGE!

House of X #2 (of 6)

Marvel Comics
(Wr) Jonathan Hickman (A/CA) Pepe Larraz

The first issue of this series sucked me in like a fly to honey, which shocked me, especially because I have never really been interested in any other modern X-Men stories. This story is NEXT LEVEL. It definitely lives up to the mass-hype that was created prior to its release, which I think will also carry over for years to come.

This series is a MUST READ!

COFFIN BOUND #1

Image Comics
(Wr) Dan Watters (A/CA) Dani

This comic has received nothing but RAVE reviews. Here a few of my favorites:

  • “Coffin Bound is a comic with a strong pulse that bleeds all over your hands while reading. You should give it a read.” – Declan Shalvey
  • “A gore-splattered-but poetic-road trip with one of the strangest stripper scenes in comics.” – John Harris Dunning
  • “Gorgeous and odd and very much its own unique monster. I am jealous at its filthy strangeness.” – Ivan Brandon

BERSERKER UNBOUND #1 (of 4) CVR A DEODATO

Dark Horse Publishing
(W) Jeff Lemire (A/CA) Mike Deodato

Jeff Lemire, swords, sorcery, and evil wizards?! TAKE MY MONEY!

LOIS LANE #2 (of 12)

DC Comics
(Wr) Greg Rucka (A/CA) Mike Perkins
Lois Lane’s investigation of an international conspiracy forces her to keep secrets from Clark, who, being completely in the dark, can not help her. Though she does find unexpected help from the streets of Gotham City…

DCEASED #4 (of 6)

DC Comics
(W) Tom Taylor (A) Trevor Hairsine, Stefano Guadiano (CA) Andy Kubert

It seems like this is the part of the story where hope is crushed by the reality that being hopeful might prove to be fruitless in a world overrun with zombies. The Daily Planet becomes a haven for those who are not infected with the virus, but can they stay safe in a city full of humans and super-humans infected with the Anti-Life Equation? Methinks not..

STRAYED #1 by Dark Horse Comics: Advance Review

At roughly 55.5 million views, “Keyboard Cat” is one of the most popular videos on YouTube. Though it’s been over a decade since that glorious clip was uploaded, Keyboard Cat speaks to an enduring trait of American culture: we love to watch cute animals do cute things.

When cats are involved, people will pay attention. Just ask Lying Cat, from Brian K. Vaughan’s critically acclaimed Saga series. There is another promising addition to the “Cats in Comics” canon with Strayed, releasing on August 14 from Dark Horse Comics.

What’s STRAYED about?

(No spoilers.)

In the world of Strayed, a military-industrial complex fuels a relentless hunt for resources across the galaxy. This campaign is helmed by the “Infinite race,” who colonize planets and upend the lives of their native population in the process.

Strayed Variant Cover Dustin Nguyen Lou the Cat in outer space
Variant cover for issue one of Strayed by Dustin Nguyen.

In order to identify planets ripe for colonization, the Infinites enlist a cat named Lou for his powers of astral projection — which allows his mind to travel through space. He reports what he sees through a translation collar made by his loving owner, Dr. Kiara Rodriguez.

Both are working for the Infinites against their will, unable to leave until their mission is complete. For months, Lou and Kiara live in the confines of a top-secret military base somewhere in space as the Infinites pillage planets, kill innocents, and take what is not theirs. Unable to see each other freely, Kiara and Lou are essentially prisoners longing to be home where they can feel like family again.

The story climaxes when the Infinite leaders have found an alternate use for Kiara’s translation device. Will Lou and Kiara continue to work for the Infinites and be complicit in their crimes? Or will they risk their lives to break the chain?

The Writing in STRAYED

In issue one of Strayed, Carlos Giffoni’s writing gracefully balances violent depictions of colonialism with moving displays of love between a pet and his companion in life. There were so many tender, surprising, clever, frustrating moments that Giffoni wrote into issue one of Strayed.

Carlos Giffoni author of Strayed from Dark Horse Comics

Carlos Giffoni is a Venezuelan writer, musician, and video game creative director/producer currently living in LA.

Every debut comic needs to create an interesting world inhabited with compelling characters. Strayed does just that. Anyone who is passionate about their pet will attach themselves to Lou and identify with Kiara. Anyone who sees colonialism as a violent force of greed will want to rebel against the Infinites.

The Art in STRAYED

Artist and colorist Juan Doe’s unique style works perfectly in this outer space setting. (This was especially true during Lou’s vivid — and important — nightmare sequence in the middle of the book.) Lou’s face and eyes are highly emotive, expressing insight, fear, and love. The consistent palette of reds and greens make every gesture, feature, and detail pop, which enhances the reading experience.

Strayed Issue One Comic Cover Dark Horse
Strayed Cover A.

My favorite show of artistry in Strayed is the non-traditional panel structure used throughout. Rather than favoring a traditional grid layout, Doe draws panels that use symmetry or hierarchy of size to convey the narrative. For example, the two-page spread for Lou’s nightmare shows his face in the middle, as the jarring events of his dream swarm around his head in organically-shaped panels.

Matt Krotzer’s lettering in Strayed is also worthy of praise. Always capitalized, the letters have variations in style, weight, and size. Krotzer uses a different lettering style for Lou to instantly convey that he uses a translation device to communicate, setting a pitch and tone for his dialogue.

Strayed Comic Rating

9.5/10

In STRAYED, Giffoni, Doe, and Krotzer create an emotionally and intellectually engaging world of characters, metaphors, and themes. The story is personal and political, cute and horrifying, strange and serious, all at once.