The first issue of “Alabaster Wolves” raises so many questions that readers will be racking their minds for possible scenarios as they wait for the next installment. The story revolves around a sixteen-year-old albino girl who exterminates monsters at the request of her angel.

The young teen, Dancy Flammarion, is a sassy girl with a more than a bit of trouble swirling around her conscience. At first, she appears to be a Joan of Arc figure, and the werewolf she runs into even calls her Joan in a mocking manner. Dancy claims she is no saint, but constantly defends herself by saying she has only killed monsters, not people. Later, she contradicts herself, and the pain shows clearly through her southern accent and pleading thoughts that she sends out to her angel to kill her.

The angel that watches over her is not what one would think of when imagining an angel. Four heads that almost always appear to be in some state of anguish and two sets of bat-like wings give this “angel” a demonic appearance rather than one of grace. The theme of things not being what they seem is commonplace throughout the story as the line between monsters and humans is blurred.

Another blurry line appears between religious duty and personal duty. The actions that are required for each of these may overlap or contradict each other. Dancy, who seems to have dealt with her angel’s requests in the past, now starts to question them and becomes more concerned with her immediate state (her life instead of her soul). Many times she admits to believing that her angel will step in and help her, but it never happens.

How much longer can Dancy hold on to her faith in the angel that is supposed to watch over her? Despite quoting scripture to monsters, she also finds herself thinking of advice, but she cannot remember where she heard or read it and thinks she might have made it up. As Dancy starts to question herself, the reader also starts to have questions about all the events that have occurred in the first issue of “Alabaster Wolves”.

One of these questions may be, “How does the title of this comic play out within the story?” So far, nothing but more questions and scenarios have been raised, but issue two looks promising, considering the intriguing first issue.

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One of Dark Horse’s most-anticipated new series premiered in the company’s flagship anthology in Dark Horse Presents #9.
Dark Horse celebrates this event with additional news recently that Caitlín R. Kiernan’s highly anticipated new series will now be included in both of Dark Horse’s Free Comic Book Day books, with two pages in each book, to expose this exciting new series to as wide an audience as possible.

Alabaster is based on Caitlín R. Kiernan’s fan-favorite Dancy Flammarion stories, a dark fantasy series centered around a teenage protagonist of striking appearance and hidden, terrible depths. For nearly as long as she can remember, seventeen-year-old Dancy Flammarion has fought monsters, cutting a bloody swath through the demons and dark things of the world, aimed like a weapon by a merciless seraph more taskmaster than guardian.

This special four-page story, told across Dark Horse’s two FCBD offerings, will give readers a compelling glimpse into Dancy’s world and the blurry line that separates her from the angels she serves—and the monsters she hunts.

Look for Alabaster: Shelter in the back of both Dark Horse’s Star Wars/Serenity and Buffy/The Guild Free Comic Book Day comics on Saturday, May 5. Remember, you have to pick up both to read the whole story.

Furthermore, pick up a copy of Dark Horse Presents #9 at your local comic shop for a special sneak peek at the highly anticipated series Alabaster: Wolves.

Praise for Caitlín R. Kiernan and Steve Lieber

“One of our essential writers of dark fiction . . . a cartographer of lost worlds.”—New York Times

“Lieber’s art is stunningly refined . . . This is how a comic book should look.”—Comic Book Resources

The article Dark Horse Comics Include Alabaster in Free Comic Book Day appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Caitlín R. Kiernan is the author of numerous works of dark fantasy and science fiction, including nine novels, several comic-book series (including Sandman spinoff The Dreaming), and over two hundred published short stories and novellas. Now, she brings her tales to the land of Dark Horse Comics.

Alabaster is based on Caitlín R. Kiernan’s fan-favorite Dancy Flammarion stories, a dark fantasy series centered around a female teenage protagonist of striking appearance and hidden, terrible depths. For nearly as long as she can remember, seventeen-year-old Dancy Flammarion has fought monsters, cutting a bloody swath through the demons and dark things of the world, aimed like a weapon by a merciless seraph, more taskmaster than guardian.

Part continuation, part reimagining, the series begins with Dancy making and breaking an oath in the name of her seraph, who subsequently abandons her. Injured and alone, Dancy has to find her own way for the first time in her life—and the wolves are closing in.

Alabaster will first appear in Dark Horse Presents #9 (on sale February 22, 2012), followed by the five-issue miniseries Alabaster: Wolves, which throws readers into Dancy’s world with a bang, strips away her seraph, and introduces the two characters who will become her long-term supporting cast. Alabaster: Wolves #1 is on sale April 11, 2012.

Alabaster features artwork by Eisner Award–nominated artist Steve Lieber and cover art by Greg Ruth.

Praise for Caitlín R. Kiernan

“One of our essential writers of dark fiction . . . a cartographer of lost worlds.”—New York Times

Praise for Steve Lieber

“Lieber’s art is stunningly refined . . . This is how a comic book should look.”—Comic Book Resources

The article Dark Horse Comics to Publish Caitlín R. Kiernan’s Alabaster appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.