Dark Horse solicitations for September 2007 - Printed matter

I'm speechless. Another 40 pages!

Jayne hat! Jayne hat!

Wowsers - the drawings on the cover of Serenity: Those Left Behind could not look more like the actors if they were actual photos.

Appealing. I love Zoë's raised eyebrow. That is some fine Zoë-itude.

QuoterGal | June 12, 04:11 CET

Some new Buffy artwork there. I don't think we've seen the variant #5 cover yet, have we? Also the 1-5 Jo Chen TPB cover -- very cool but, wow. That scythe ... phallic much? Xander's looking pretty Jake Gyllenhaally there, too. I can't believe we have to wait so loooong for the next installment.

karosurly | June 12, 04:11 CET

CBR got it up also, with covers in better quality than Comics Continuum's.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=10819

I'm all giddy right now.

I'll definetely get all the collections (including the panel to panel).
Really excited for all the extras in the Those left behind extras, such as more pin ups.

[ edited by Numfar PTB on 2007-06-12 02:17 ]

Numfar PTB | June 12, 05:10 CET

Just loving on that TPB cover. And my cell phone lets me upload customized wallpapers? I am a happy Wolf.

Jet Wolf | June 12, 05:11 CET

Um, wow. Never has (non-James Jean) preview art made me so blown away. Those are the prettiest artworks related to any fandom 'verse. I don't even have a vocabularly other than this.

Remember the rumors that "Better Days" might be out in September? I'm guessing October since the re-issuing of "Those Left Behind" would get interest back up again. As if it was ever really dwindling.

[ edited by CaptainB on 2007-06-12 02:26 ]

CaptainB | June 12, 05:20 CET

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Jo Chen just keeps getting more and more amazing with everything she does. I'm in total awe at that TPB cover.

dingoes8 | June 12, 06:34 CET

I'm now quite happy that I held off buying the Serenity tradepaperback, with the hardcover coming out. I already owned a copy of the individual comic issues, but really wanted a trade version of the series, but I would not settle for the smaller format that the trade came in. Several times while visiting the comic book store, I picked it up thought about buying it, before placing it back on the shelf. With Dark Horse, not just going for the regular size, but an oversize collection, I will definitely buy it as soon as I see it in stores.

Also with all the cool artwork that has graced the Serenity comics, it's too bad that none of this artwork could have been used for the DVD cover. The special edition is quite the improvement over the original movie poster and especially the original DVD artwork, but still isn't quite as nice as any of the cover artwork for the comics.

Matt_Fabb | June 12, 06:51 CET

That Chen TPB cover is now my desktop background. Simply amazing. Has she ever done the interior art for a comic? It would be cool if down the line she did the art for a one-shot Buffy story or something.

Celina | June 12, 07:24 CET

Shiny. New Official Serenity Merchandise!

I bought the Serenity comics, the paperback Serenity: Those Left Behind and I'll buy this one too. And Serenity: Better Days when it comes out! Whoo-hoo!

[ edited by Anonymous1 on 2007-06-12 04:51 ]

Anonymous1 | June 12, 07:35 CET

I own three copies of each Buffy S8 issue so far (one for reading, one for preservation, one variant)...yet I am still going to buy the TPB. I was always going to buy it, but now that absolutely amazing Jo Chen artwork is just extra incentive.

I also own three copies of each Serenity comic (all nine different covers, natch...though my Jayne has gone missing) as well as the TPB...but I'll be getting that. It looks sooooooooooo shiny.

UnpluggedCrazy | June 12, 08:18 CET

I didn't think the covers could get any more awesome!I'm was wrong, this is immense!

feigenbaum7 | June 12, 08:27 CET

Yowsers, those covers are ace. But weren't we supposed to be getting a subtitle for Buffy season 8 with the release of issue 6?

Simon | June 12, 10:24 CET

Buffy Season 8: Simon Says!

The One True b!X | June 12, 10:28 CET

What Matt_Fabb said about skipping the paperback and going straight to this. Sooooooo rockin'!

And, Faith, yo! By Brian K. Vaughan! *manfully squees* ;-)

billz | June 12, 12:05 CET

I absolutely love the Faith cover!!!

As for the subtitle:

Joss Whedon stays on as Executive Producer in this first part of "No Future for You."

Buffy Seson 8: No Future for you - I suppose.

Ariane | June 12, 13:04 CET

ETA: Allie has previously said regarding the subtitle a) it's one word and b) it's a massive spoiler. "No Future for You" is probably just the name of the arc and the subtitle may not appear on previews or possibly until later in the 'season' (or maybe they've just changed their minds).

Jo Chen so rules it must make other rulers nervous, if I were the Queen i'd be putting discrete calls into MI5 to start digging up some dirt ;).

(that Faith cover is just brilliant and the trade one is similarly fab)

I reckon the Serenity hardback's a bit cruel though. I'm not a huge fan of that particular comic but there're exclusive extras and it looks very pretty. Do Dark Horse hate my bank manager, is that it ?

[ edited by Saje on 2007-06-12 10:49 ]

Saje | June 12, 13:44 CET

I'd also like to say that the trade cover is iconic.

Simon | June 12, 14:24 CET

Oh, TPB approaching, it's been hard fighting off the urge, nay the need to buy the single issues comics, but I have, now finally a specific date to look forward to.

So the name of the Faith arc is 'No Future For You', wonder for whom the bell tolls this time, the mention of Giles training should make some people happy, but what if Giles is killed off ?

Yes those Chen covers, amazing stuff, my favorite so far, Dawn with Buffy in the palm of her hand.

jpr | June 12, 15:00 CET

Buffy: The Chain.

NickSeng | June 12, 15:00 CET

The Chen covers are seriously gorgeous. Cannot wait for the first Buffy trade for the cover alone. The Serenity one is a must-buy too, obviously.

Been looking forward to the Faith arc for some time now. That small amount of information given about the "specialized training" has really got me interested.

The Arcane | June 12, 17:15 CET

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Twilight"?

I love the title "No Future for You"! I've been hoping that the newly empowered slayers would give Buffy a chance to interact with earlier versions of herself, and "No Future for You" would have worked as a substitute title for "Prophecy Girl." The same deal works for Faith: Rogue Slayer v. Former Rogue Slayer.

I love every Jo Chen cover except the TPB one, which I respectfully and passionately hate. (Enigmatically, too, since I'm not saying why.)

[ edited by Pointy on 2007-06-12 22:25 ]

Pointy | June 12, 17:31 CET

... which I respectfully ... hate.

Does that mean you can have disrespectful love ? Enquiring minds ... ;). Hmm enigmatic indeed, the only basis I can think of is factual inaccuracy since the background hills make it look a bit like Scotland but it seems to be sunny, which is plainly impossible.

("No Future for You" is fine for an arc but IMO a bit non-descript as a subtitle for the entire season - also sounds like it should have " ... Until You Clear Your Plate, Young Lady !" tagged on the end ;)

Saje | June 12, 18:42 CET

Aw Pointy, now you got me curious--what could you possibly hate about that beautiful "Long Way Home" cover ? Unless you're a stickler for likenesses being spot on--Willow's the most off, while I think Buffy's almost perfect aside from having a little Kirsten Dunst or someone in her. Xander looks like Xander to me, not seeing any Jake Gyllenhaal in there as someone mentioned, though maybe youthed up and slimmed down a bit too much. I liked Nicholas Brendon's natural early-30s build. Is the cover, with its poses and helicopters flying overhead, an homage to a scene in a film that you considered sacred and untouchable ?

That TPB makes me wanna switch to reading the book that way. I guess it's not too late, I haven't filled out my Previews order form this month yet for the August pre-order of #5. And I could give the single issues #1-4 to a friend...staying spoiler-free while still wanting to enjoy Whedonesque would be the hardest part. Hmm, gotta think about this a bit...

Serenity's "Those Left Behind" really didn't deserve hardcover treatment (though I think I enjoyed it more than Saje and I definitely appreciated its efforts to bridge the gap between the end of the series and the beginning of the film). I own the single issues and I don't go nuts over behind-the-scenes extras in comics, so I think I can give this a miss. If they were adding extra story pages, it'd be required buying. That cover ain't all that great. The coloring's nice, but Zoe looks really weird to me (almost demonic, even) and the Mal & Inara cover of the regular softcover collection was a lot prettier, IMO.

Big fan of the Jo Chen Faith cover.

Kris | June 12, 18:50 CET

I agree with Simon about that tpb cover being iconic. Our heroes leading the battle against an unknown threat with an army of slayers in the rear. Awesome. The only reason I can't call it "perfect" is Xanders choice of weapon. Are they about to battle a giant gold nugget?

alexreager | June 12, 18:58 CET

The only reason I can't call it "perfect" is Xanders choice of weapon. Are they about to battle a giant gold nugget?

He literally has a bone to pick? :)

Jet Wolf | June 12, 19:08 CET

I'd also like to say that the trade cover is iconic.

I agree. I think that's one reason it rocks my socks off. Also I've always loved the main trio best when they're working together, and this really emphasizes that.

I wonder if the new subtitle will be a secret until the issue hits the stores? If I was in charge, that'd be my evil plan. Keep people guessing, and let them pick up the issue that explains the subtitle at the same time that they learn the subtitle.

I love every Jo Chen cover except the TPB one, which I respectfully and passionately hate. (Enigmatically, too, since I'm not saying why.)

Are you secretly anti the recurring red pants theme? Or is it the quasi-fantasy novel feel of the cover? I'm a little unsure of that myself.

I can't help but wonder what on earth Xander intends to do with that pickax. He seems pretty sure of it though.

Sunfire | June 12, 19:33 CET

"Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work we go ...".

Was there a "Half-Blindy" ? Been a while since i've seen it.

Saje | June 12, 20:04 CET

official Serenity Merch = $$ out of my pocket

[ edited by Simon on 2007-06-12 18:58 ]

refuge5 | June 12, 20:13 CET

Hey, Xander's pickax could be good for breaking into tombs.

Now we have to try & guess the subtitle AND why Pointy doesn't like the TPB cover. It's just more suspense than I can take.
[He must not object to red pants or he wouldn't like the Willow cover. Maybe he doesn't like helicopters? Or artfully arranged helicopters? Maybe he thinks Giles should be in it? (or maybe that's me).]

jcs | June 12, 21:06 CET

Yay! My husband is making fun of me for discovering comics in middle age because of Buffy #8 but I'm having fun. Looking forward to the Omnibus since I never read the originals.

Jonesing for the Serenity hardcover. My first TBP went walkabout. Now my second can be a loaner copy. The hardcover is never leaving my house.

Clementine | June 12, 21:28 CET

I think Xander is holding an axe.

hitnrun017 | June 12, 21:38 CET

I'm kinda iffy on George Jeanty inking Faith. I think his artwork lends itself well to the Scoobies, but it seems like a different style would suit Faith better.

Otherwise, (im)patiently waiting until September. :)

deepgirl187 | June 12, 22:29 CET

Clementine...I wouldn't get your hopes up about the Ominbus; the majority of un-Joss, non-canon Buffy comics are horrible.

There are some definite gems, but they are few and far between.

UnpluggedCrazy | June 12, 23:10 CET

Wow, Jo Chen's TPB art blew me away. Suddenly I am realizing that the Season 8 arc is going to be far more epic and complex that I had imagined - and not just because Dawn is a giant. Squee!

Zannadoo | June 12, 23:33 CET

Thank god I haven't got "Those Left Behind" yet.
Now, I don't know if I should wait to buy Fray... :P

And that "Long Way Home" TPB... awesome cover!
I'm buying it (not the individual issues).

Angel TheVampire | June 12, 23:37 CET

Single words that have already meant something to the Buffyverse and might be spoilery if the flandom heard it?

"Effulgent"
"Fray"
"Hellmouth"
"Council"

All unlikely subtitles. Any other thoughts?

CaptainB | June 13, 00:51 CET

A Jo Chen Giles cover? I like that idea. But he shouldn't be on the TPB cover for 1-5.

Was there a "Half-Blindy" ? Been a while since i've seen it.

He just doesn't have good depth perception! And he doesn't need it to make that pickax ooze cool.

Sunfire | June 13, 01:01 CET

Yeah but "Half-Poorly-Depth-Percepted" is a bit unwieldy ;).

All unlikely subtitles. Any other thoughts?

I'm sticking with Götterdämmerung (ties in with 'twilight' at least. As it turns out anyway - originally it was just a random guess beginning with 'g' ;).

I'm kinda iffy on George Jeanty inking Faith. I think his artwork lends itself well to the Scoobies, but it seems like a different style would suit Faith better.

Yeah, I agree deepgirl187. Been digging Georges' stuff but I wouldn't have minded seeing something a bit edgier for Faith, a bit less 'round' (with the light - by which I mean optimistic not insubstantial - and upbeat quality that lends the art). This would have been a perfect time to get someone like Michael Gaydos in for an arc IMO but hopefully Jeanty will show us his range and really blow us out of the water.

Saje | June 13, 01:12 CET

I haven't been a huge fan of Jeanty's work for this series so far, but that cover is pretty awesome. I hope we see this kind of lighting more often in his stuff. It fits the tone of the series so much better.

And of course the Jo Chen TPB cover rocks as well. The likenesses are a bit wonky, but they're still plenty recognizable. And I'm with everyone else on the confusion reguarding Xander's pickaxe, but he does look hella cool with it.

RaisedByMongrels | June 13, 01:44 CET

Saje: A missing eye, a giant, twilight, a pickax.. it does all bring some Norse mythology to mind after all.

Sunfire | June 13, 02:15 CET

Just throw in an anvil chorus and we are all set.

Zannadoo | June 13, 02:38 CET

Hughes finally got Nathan's face right only to get Gina's a little off. Still very pretty. I hate being enticed to buy new merch.

thatweirdgirl | June 13, 03:21 CET

Pointy - I love the title "No Future for You"! I've been hoping that the newly empowered slayers would give Buffy a chance to interact with earlier versions of herself, and "No Future for You" would have worked as a substitute title for "Prophecy Girl."

I agree completely, and I love how the Faith/Buffy cover has Faith wearing a very similar outfit to the one Buffy wore in "The Harvest," even down to the cross around her neck! I mean, the second time we see Faith she's wearing the same thing Buffy wore in her second episode? I'd like to think they're depicting Faith on Step 1 of "Buffy's Patented 12 Step Program For Recovering Rogue Slayers." Step 1: Don't kill people.

Maybe that's the subtitle! Buffy Season 8: Intervention

JusticeDemon | June 13, 04:21 CET

But weren't we supposed to be getting a subtitle for Buffy season 8 with the release of issue 6?

Turns out, what Scott Allie has said is that the subtitle comes after issue 6.

The One True b!X | June 13, 04:25 CET

Maybe that's the subtitle! Buffy Season 8: Intervention

Best episode of Intervention EVER.

Jet Wolf | June 13, 04:45 CET

I just realized my biggest beef with Jo Chen's Faith cover has been rectified--the tattoo!

CaptainB | June 13, 05:42 CET

Btw, also of note: the HC treatment for BKV's excellent miniseries, "The Escapists", based on Michael Chabon's masterpiece "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay". I'm mentioning this not only because I loved but because, since BKV is writing "Buffy"'s second arc, he should be now officially considered part of the crew. ;)

dark_tyler | June 13, 12:08 CET

I was a bit worried about the Faith tattoo miss-age myself, and was mulling over all kinds of conspiracy/decoy theories that I can finally put to rest.

Yet again, loving the Jo Chen work. And it's nice that Buffy had time to go and get herself a boob job in between all the fighting.

Which, when combined with Willow's changing eye colors, Xander's sexy new look and Dawnie's super-sizing makes the secret season 8 subtitle "Buffy: Makeover!" ;-)

missb | June 13, 12:11 CET

or Buffy: Extreme Scottish Makeover...

JusticeDemon | June 13, 16:29 CET

Turns out, what Scott Allie has said is that the subtitle comes after issue 6.

Thanks for clearing that up, b!X. That's a lot more time to ponder the infamous spoilery subtitle.

Sunfire | June 14, 00:36 CET

June 12 2007