I am so happy to announce that BY THE HORNS will be back in comic book shops this April with a new maxi-series called BY THE HORNS: Dark Earth!
BY THE HORNS: Dark Earth #1 begins six months after the explosive events of BY THE HORNS #8. Since their hellacious battle in the sky with the evil sorceress Feng Po, Elodie, Sajen and Evelyn have been reluctantly settling into their new lives as farmers in Wayfarer. But their days spent tilling the land in overalls proves short-lived when a mysterious blight devastates the continent of Solothus and forces them to take up a new quest.
Dark Earth builds off the subplots we planted in the initial arc. The first 8 issues of BY THE HORNS were really about Elodie learning how to forgive herself and the unicorns, and to make choices that help others instead of just herself. Dark Earth is about her dealing with the consequences of her actions at the end of arc one.
In our new series, the continent of Solothus is suddenly thrown into chaos and many creatures blame Elodie for it. So, the tables get turned. When we met Elodie she was trying to get revenge on the unicorns who trampled her husband. In arc two, she’s the one being targeted as she searches for a way to repair the escalating damage to her world. That responsibility is a big weight on her shoulders.
BY THE HORNS: Dark Earth will feature all new environments and fantasy creations by my partner-in-crime and artist extraordinaire, Jason Muhr! Dark Earth also welcomes new colorist Steve Canon, whose past credits include Jack Irons: The Steel Cowboy and The Kill Journal. We have very much enjoyed working with Steve these last couple months, even as it saddened us to say goodbye to our former BTH colorist and friend, Andrei Tabacaru.
We absolutely adore Andrei, but he decided to step away from comics for a little while to pursue other interests. Andrei is one of the very best colorists in the business and an amazing guy, and we wish him all the best in everything he does. You may see his work pop up from time to time on covers, if I can convince him to pick up his crayons. Fingers crossed!
BY THE HORNS: Dark Earth #1 will be in stores April 20. It will feature a main cover by Jason and Steve (pictured above). A retailer threshold variant cover by White Ash and Glarien artist Romina Moranelli will also be available, along with a Scout Comics Website Exclusive cover to be revealed in March.
BY THE HORNS: Dark Earth #1 variant cover by Romina Moranelli
BY THE HORNS: Dark Earth #1 is available to pre-order at your local comic book shop now. Here are some handy codes:
· ORDER BY THE HORNS DARK EARTH #1 CVR A WITH CODE: FEB221672
· ORDER BY THE HORNS DARK EARTH #1 CVR B 10 COPY UNLOCKED MORANELLI WITH CODE: FEB221673
· ORDER BY THE HORNS DARK EARTH #1 CVR A WITH CODE: 0222SC165
· ORDER BY THE HORNS DARK EARTH #1 CVR B 10 COPY UNLOCKED MORANELLI WITH CODE: 0222SC166
Since its debut in February 2021, BY THE HORNS has been a hit book for us and for Scout. Issue #1 sold out and went back to press in March 2021, and we are so grateful for all the amazing comments and praise our series has generated from readers, reviewers and retailers. BTH has even appeared on numerous Best Comics of 2021 lists!
Blake's Buzz #1 Comic Book of 2021
“By The Horns isn’t just one of the best comics at Scout; it’s one of the best comics period.”
Graphic Policy (Underrated Column) Best Comic Book of 2021
“This comic is truly something special. You’re doing yourself a disservice if you’re not reading By the Horns. Easily the best of the year.”
We Have Issues Podcast Best Indie Book of 2021
“I love By the Horns. Such a cool, unique fantasy story with an amazing protagonist and a great supporting cast. There isn’t one weakness in this book.”
Pop Culture Philosophers' #9 Comic Book of 2021
"Scout does some good books, but this is by far the best they've ever done."
Promiscuous Time Traveler's #1 Independent Comic Book of 2021
"Riveting and immersive storytelling."
Cultured Vultures' #1 Underrated SFF Comic
"By the Horns is a potent psychological tale about vengeance and grief wrapped in a shimmering blanket of epic SFF artistry."
If you want to get caught up on BY THE HORNS before Dark Earth begins, you can pick up BY THE HORNS Vol. 1: The Wind Rises on February 24! The 224-page trade paperback collects issues 1-8 and features 10 pages of back matter on the making of the series. Here are the codes for the book:
ORDER WITH CODE: DEC211811
ORDER WITH CODE: 1221SC166
Additional print copies and digital editions, as well as other BTH merchandise can be purchased at scoutcomics.com.
Thank you so much to all you BTH readers out there who have supported our book so fiercely and allowed us to continue telling a story we love so passionately. It means the world to us. We’re sending you all virtual wolf pony hugs!
-Markisan