Review Fix counts down their ten favorite graphic novel/comic books from Dark Horse comics in 2013. From the noir and gothic work of Peter Hogan, Steve Niles and John Arcudi to the always-charming Mike Norton, 2013 may go down as one of the best years in Dark Horse Comics history.
10: Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher, Richard Corben: Corben takes Edgar Allan Poe’s most known classic and gives it the proper comic treatment. With his brand of Gothic style art this makes for a perfect addition to any Poe fan.-Rocco Sansone
9: Battlepug Volume 2, Mike Norton: Despite some hard edges Mike Norton’s “Battlepug†is a hilarious gem that will make anyone want a giant pug for a pet. The over the top zaniness of it is what makes it charming. In this volume, the Warrior and the Lunatic find a girl inside of the chests the bandits had. The girl turns out to be Bryony, a foul-mouthed mage, who is the daughter of Margrave Braken of Leamhan. When our heroes arrive at Leamhan, they find it under attack by Braken’s captain. The super hilarious and silly premise of the first volume takes a back seat to more serious storytelling. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t any hilarity to be had. The little hilarity in this volume comes from a little girl with a sailor mouth, racial jokes and a breaking the fourth wall joke. The rest of the comic is full-on serious. It takes that magical something away that the first volume had.-Rocco Sansone
8: Violent Cases, Neil Gaiman: Gaiman shows why is a master of his craft with an engaging comic about a little boy hearing stories from Al Capone’s osteopath. It’s literary magic in comic form. Gaiman’s “Violent Cases†is another masterpiece by one of today’s most well respected writers. Throw in Dave McKean’s art and this one is an instant classic.-Rocco Sansone
7: Emily and the Strangers (Series), Rob Reger: A genius Goth girl who makes up her own swear words forms a band? A silly idea indeed but the execution is all that matters. And the execution is that anyone who ever started a band will love.-Rocco Sansone
6: Final Night/30 Days of Night/Criminal Macabre Crossover, Steve Niles: Before this mini-series began, “30 Days of Night†and “Criminal Macabre†creator Steve Niles promised that by the end of it all, one of these series would be finished. Well, it’s over. “30 Days of Night†is dead. In an epic, but all too quick final battle, zombie, private detective Cal McDonald will live to fight another day. But his fight to rid the world of evil has just begun. Even with Eben’s death, the vampires are still strong and organized. That being said, McDonald and Mo’Lock’s journey is just beginning.-Patrick Hickey Jr.
5: Resident Alien: Suicide Blonde, Peter Hogan: Already unmistakably noir, Resident Alien just got a whole lot darker. Behind another gruesome murder, gritty dialogue and some of Steven Parkhouse’s best work to date, Resident Alien’s Suicide Blonde arc continues to satisfy every hard-boiled comic geek in the land. Now in Seattle, Harry and Asta jump feet first into their suicide blonde case and things get hairy quickly. Possessing abilities he must hide from Asta, Harry is able to start piecing the case together. The clues are sparse, but Harry isn’t your average detective.-Patrick Hickey Jr.
4: The Star Wars, J. W. Rinzler: Jedis are nearly extinct and General Luke Skywalker is trying to hold his forces together to take action against the empire. Leia has a brief appearance as a teenager. It’s a world of players known to us, but turned on its head. The artwork adds dimension and elements necessary for storytelling. When lighted swords are drawn, red glowing eyes are seen and that proverbial hairstyle worn by Leia are shown, they can add to the narrative without the characters having to say a word. In the near 40 years that have gone, the time is right for a new telling of an old classic. In the issues to come the force may be with you. Or for this new universe, in the time ahead “may the force of others be with you all.†-Donna-Lyn Washington
2: The Black Beetle (Series), Francesco Francavilla: A story about a 1930s vigilante told in the classic noir style makes Francavilla’s “The Black Beetle†a ton of fun to read.-Rocco Sansone
1: The Creep HC, John Arcudi and Jonathan Case: “The Creep†is a comic book that screams old-school noir in the vein of James Cain and Frank Miller. He’s a man who’s only escape from a world of despair is to give closure to those who need it even than he does. Can you get any more noir than that? The writing of Arcudi brings Oxel’s life of quiet desperation into full focus. A fantastic detective, with a huge heart, matched only by the size of his deformed frame, Oxel is a character for the ages. The stunning pictorials of Case bring Oxel to life and the journey quickly goes from its pages to a place in your mind not easily forgotten. In terms of comic books, “The Creep†is a masterpiece, a tale of noir crafted around a mysterious series of suicides and a man who must solve the case before he can find closure for a lost love. In terms of literacy presence, “The Creep†is a prime example of how some comic books can transcend the genre. No super heroes. Not even a super man. Oxel is just a man. This is just a story. But it’s enough to make you a fan of the medium for life.-Patrick Hickey Jr.
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