Dark Horse Presents #8
Stories by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, Evan Dorkin, Tony Puryear, Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, Alan Gordon, Brian Wood, Martin Conaghan, Rich Johnston, M. J. Butler
Art by Duncan Fegredo, Jill Thompson, Tony Puryear, Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, Thomas Yeates, Kristian Donaldson, Jimmy Broxton, Simon Rohrmüller, Mark Wheatley
Colors by Dave Stewart, Moose, Jesus Aburto, Thomas Yeates, Lori Almeida
Letters by Clem Robins, Jason Arthur, Ken Bruzenak, John Workman, Jared K. Fletcher, Jim Reddington
Creative Concepts by Tony Puryear, Erika Alexander, Robert Alexander, Thomas Yeates
Covers by Duncan Fegredo with Dave Stewart, Kristian Donaldson with Brian Wood
Back Cover and Spot Illustrations by Geof Darrow
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: February 1, 2012
Cover Price: $7.99
Dark Horse brings out their best and brightest talent for the 8th installment of their legendary anthology Dark Horse Presents. For anyone new to Dark Horse’s line of titles this anthology is a perfect jumping-on point. Dark Horse Presents #8 collects both new and old titles that accurately showcase the publisher’s diverse line of comics. Not every comic featured in the anthology is a hit, though. However, with stories from Mike Mignola and Brain Wood, Dark Horse Presents #8 is a collection worth picking up.
Every comic in Dark Horse Presents #8 is unique unto itself, regardless of genre, style, or scope each story is different. The first thing I noticed while reading this anthology was the obvious difference in size that each writer wrote his or her story around.
You can almost feel the confidence that Brian Wood has in his storytelling as you read the first chapter of his new project with artist Kristian Donaldson “The Massive.” Compared to the smaller, more personal stories in Dark Horse Presents #8, Wood’s apocalyptic story is a grand and sweeping event.
Mike Mignola also introduces a new chapter of B.P.R.D, which established a great tone for Hellboy titles coming in 2012. “Beasts of Burden: The View from the Hill” by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson with Jason Arthur is also a wonderful gem in the collection. It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking story told in just a few self-contained pages.
As with the writing in Dark Horse Presents #8, the art soars at some points while staggering in others. I hate to keep bringing up the obvious, but the art by Kristian Donaldson on “The Massive” is incredible. But being teamed up with Brain Wood, what else could you expect.
Duncan Fegredo also establishes a strong artistic presence with his work on “B.P.R.D: An Unmarked Grave.” The first chapter of “Time to Live” by Martin Conaghan with art by Jimmy Broxton is also a strong addition to this anthology in both story and art.
Dark Horse had nothing to prove with their latest anthology. In 2011, they put out some of the most compelling and progressive comics to hit shelves. They long ago established their ability to provide readers with interesting and unique content. Dark Horse Presents #8 has just further proven that this is a publisher with big plans for 2012.
