I’m a believer in anthologies– the “bang for your buck” is often greater and it gets you to read things you might otherwise have never picked up. In the American market we seem averse to this “trying new things” mindset, with the U.S. version of Shonen Jump being the most recent causality. It is important to support good anthology works which is why I’d like to take a moment to stump for all the friends of the program with upcoming work in Dark Horse Presents.

As a person interested in anime/manga, hip-hop, and naked people, I cannot help be be attracted to the work of Brandon Graham. If you follow Brandon on twitter or read his blog, he makes great observations. Most people, myself included, when directing your attention to something would go, “WOW, HOLY *$#% LOOK AT THIS MIND-BLOWING THING HERE” and if our jumping up and down is enough you’ll follow our link to something that’s alright. Brandon is always showing the stuff he finds by simply saying, “I like the way this looks,” and then you click the link and your mind is actually blown. Brandon’s got a big year coming in 2012, and has been nothing but a joy to talk about comics with previously, his King City is one of the better comics published in recent history. As such, we should all be excited about his appearance in Dark Horse Presents #7, “The Speaker” coming in December.

In case you haven’t noticed, I love the Brand New Nostalgia sketch crew. And not just because they’ve been nothing but overly gracious to me– but because these guys are flat out the next generation of the comic book medium. Their unique styles always leave my pupils agape. While I knew a lot of the guys prior to them assembling, I’m embarrassed to say I wasn’t familiar with the accomplished work of Joe Querio. Since being introduced to Joe he’s continually impressed me–both in his work and courtesy– and I know my wife is excited to see him working in her favorite universe, the crown jewel of Dark Horse: Mike Mignola’s Hellboy. Joe is a perfect match to realize one of Mignola’s Lobster Johnson scripts in Dark Horse Presents #9 for February.

It’s always fun to see collaborations come together and chat with other creators. This past year I’ve constantly peeked in on the talents of Michael Dialynas, only to have him start talking comics with me on Twitter (lord, I love Twitter). To my delight I go to one of the creative forums I haunt along with one Steve Horton and find he and Michael have something fantastical cooked up. Starting in February with Dark Horse Presents #9 and running for THREE installments, look forward to seeing their combined skills on display in “Amala’s Blade”.

Last and far, far from least, today came the announcement I am most ecstatic about for the coming future. I met Frank J. Barbiere at San Diego Comic Con through mutual friends and bonded immediately. Frank is as fun and enthusiastic a creator as I’ve ever met, but moreover I love the way he puts supporting the many artists working with him front and center. I’ve gotten to meet most of the amazing talent Frank’s working with, among them the passionate and talented Luke Radl. And as two people I’ve gotten to spend some actual time with at conventions, I’m doubly enchanted by how earnest both of them are. In my limited convention outings I’ve found that some creators are only interested in climbing the ladder and those that can immediately get them up a rung or two. Then there are those amazing folks who are genuinely interested in interacting with everyone, and it’s refreshing to see other young creators like that. Both of them have invested over a long period of time in their work on “The White Suits” and to see the initial payoff be a trio of installments starting in April with Dark Horse Presents #11… I couldn’t be more happy for them.

So great to see people I genuinely like doing work that I’d be interested in even if I didn’t have relationships with them. And all of this is just the tip of the iceberg. Because in these very issues of Dark Horse Presents there will be other creators like Brian Wood, Geoff Darrow, and even a Mike Mignola drawn segment. With all this content I don’t understand how you can’t run to your retailer and demand they start buying this book for you. Because this appears to be my speed: awesome, face-melting, completely gorgeous, heartfelt comics crack.

Or, as Brandon might put it, I like the look of upcoming Dark Horse Presents.

Please share this information with others and help make certain this anthology sees an increase in circulation going forward. We need books like this to help introducing us to new people and stories, and the only way retailers will carry them is if you ask.