Dark Horse Presents #1 Paul Chadwick Cover

Mike Richardson is the Founder, President, and Publisher of Dark Horse Comics. He’s also the editor of the new incarnation of Dark Horse Presents, the popular anthology that launched the company. Westfield’s Roger Ash recently spoke with Richardson to learn more about what readers can find in this new book.

Westfield: Dark Horse Presents has been around as an online entity for a while. Why did you decide to bring it back as a print comic?

Mike Richardson: When we suspended the original run, it was always in my mind to bring it back in some way. I wanted to find a different model because the traditional 32-page, black and white comic with three stories seemed to have run out of steam. As we approached our 25th Anniversary, it just felt like the time was good for a book like this. Of course, the format’s going to be different. It’s going to be 80 pages. It’s going to be full color this time in a nice, perfect bound package, much like the old 80-page giants of the past.

Dark Horse Presents #1 Frank Miller Cover

Westfield: Will it be a monthly book?

Richardson: It’s starting out as a bi-monthly but if we get a good reaction, and judging by the people who want to be in the book – which has been a surprise to me, we may go monthly pretty quickly.

Paul Chadwick's Concrete page 1

Westfield: The first issue does have some powerhouse creators. Are there any stories that are highlights for you or ones you want to highlight for the readers?

Richardson: Obviously, I want to have very strong material and I want to have a nice mixture of new creators. New talent, some who’ve been around for awhile and deserve more exposure, and of course, the superstars. I think we have a nice combination starting out. We’ve got the first six issues already booked and a lot of other material coming in that hasn’t been booked yet. The first issue starts off with Paul Chadwick’s Concrete. Paul was there in the first issue of the original Dark Horse Presents, and it seemed appropriate to lead with Concrete in the relaunch. We have Howard Chaykin’s Marked Man, Neal Adams’ Blood, a sneak preview of Frank Miller’s Xerxes (which everyone is excited about). Michael Gilbert presents the return of Mr. Monster who’s been away for quite some time. It’s a fun story. Speaking of someone who I think is deserving of more attention and waiting to be discovered by a much larger audience is Carla Speed McNeil and her Finder series. Richard Corben, Harlan Ellison, and the return of Crimson Empire, the precursor to Crimson Empire 3, one of our best-selling Star Wars books ever. We’re also introducing a new humorist named Patrick Alexander. Future announcements include Dave Gibbons, Paul Pope, Steve Niles, Bernie Wrightson, Robert Love, Sanford Greene, and many others.

Paul Chadwick's Concrete page 2

Westfield: In the previous version of Dark Horse Presents, you had continuing stories. Will that be the case here as well or will these be complete stories?

Richardson: We’ll have some one-shot stories and we’ll have some continuing series. Most contributors are interested in stories that are two or more parts. Chaykin’s, I think, will run eight issues. The great thing about an 80-page book is it gives us the opportunity to be flexible with regard to story length. Previously, we had to stick to three, 8-page episodes with the idea of then moving the property into its own series. We’ll still be doing that but for those creators who want to have more pages in a particular issue, or want to have their series run a few chapters longer, we will have the room to do that.

Westfield: So you’re looking at this in part as a launching pad for new titles?

Richardson: Absolutely. We’re also looking at it as a way for some creators who may be busy with another series to be able to take a break and do an 8-page story. It may only be a one-shot. It’s a place for creators who have ideas for their own properties – a place where they can lay the groundwork for n idea without committing to a long series. I think it’s going to be a great place for different types of stories done for a variety of reasons. Obviously, we’ll also be premiering some licensed projects in the book. Mostly it will be creator-owned work. You’ll might see some company-owned characters appearing, too. Maybe the relaunch of some of our existing characters and some new ones we have in mind.

Howard Chaykin's Marked Man

Westfield: Is there anything you can tell us that people can look forward to in upcoming issues?

Richardson: We have such a great lineup. We’re going to make some announcements almost on a week-by-week basis. Dave Gibbons’ new project Treatment will appear in the second issue.

Westfield: Cool! For you, what makes a story a good story to put in Dark Horse Presents?

Richardson: Talented storytellers. We’re not looking for a specific type of story although we like the idea that we had in the beginning; unique comic characters in unique situations. Stories that have some of the trappings of traditional superheroes, but end up as very fresh and different. From standard fare That by no means is the rule. We have many different kinds of stories lined up for the book. We have David Chelsea, for instance, adds a very fresh approach to the book’s contents. He’s definitely not a mainstream Marvel-type guy, but he’s a very talented illustrator with a very unique approach to comics.

Westfield: Is he bringing back the David Chelsea in Love strip or is it something new?

Richardson: Right now, the first three stories he’s doing for the book are entitled Snow Angel. I think it’s a new character.

Neal Adams' Blood

Westfield: Are there other projects you’re working on or other projects on the way from Dark Horse that you’d like to mention?

Richardson: Every few years we revamp our line. I would just say that people should watch because we have a lot of exciting announcements coming. New projects with some very talented creators. It’s our 25th Anniversary and Dark Horse Presents kicks everything off. We’ve got an amazing list of creators who are involved in that particular book. It’s going to be the springboard for a number of exciting new projects. There are several that I’m dying to tell you about but my marketing department will kill me if I undermine their marketing plans.

Westfield: Any closing comments?

Richardson: The industry’s changing and we see what’s happening to traditional comic book sales. We’re going to do our best to make our line exciting so that people will continue to pick up the books no matter how they’re distributed.