Manor Black

ISBN 9781506712017Manor Black:
Fire in the BloodISBN 9781506719733

Manor Black is an American comic book series created by writers Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt and artist Tyler Crook, published by Dark Horse Comics.

Publication history

Following a few teasing images on Dark Horse's Twitter account,[1][2][3] Manor Black was announced on April 4, 2019 as a four-issue miniseries.[4] The story was announced as a "gothic soap opera," drawing inspiration from Dark Shadows, American Gothic, Hammer horror films, and Twin Peaks. Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt came up with the idea during the early days of working on The Sixth Gun together, but the project didn't come together until Tyler Crook came on board as artist. Crook added his own ideas, which helped Manor Black become more fully realized. For Crook, it was important for him to create a contrast between the mundane and the monstrous, so while a he did a lot of design work on the magical elements of the story, he spent a lot of time making the mundane word just as detailed, scouting locations and figuring out what the local architecture and trees in Georgia.[5][6]

Though initially announced as a miniseries, there is a larger plan for more stories.[6] A second four-issue miniseries, Fire in the Blood, came out in 2022 with Brian Hurtt on art with Tyler Crook on colors.[7] In an interview after the Fire in the Blood came out, Bunn said he has outlines for eight more arcs.[8]

Issues

Issue Release Date Story Art Cover
#1[9] July 31, 2019 Cullen Bunn
Brian Hurtt 		Tyler Crook Tyler Crook
VARIANT: Dan Brereton
#2[10] August 28, 2019 Tyler Crook
VARIANT: Jill Thompson
#3[11] September 25, 2019 Tyler Crook
VARIANT: Greg Smallwood
#4[12] October 30, 2019 Tyler Crook
VARIANT: Erica Henderson
Fire
in the
Blood 		#1[13] February 2, 2022 STORY:
Cullen Bunn
Brian Hurtt
SCRIPT:
Cullen Bunn 		INKS:
Brian Hurtt
PAINTS:
Tyler Crook 		Brian Hurtt & Tyler Crook
VARIANT: Francesco Francavilla
#2[14] March 2, 2022 Brian Hurtt & Tyler Crook
VARIANT: Dan Brereton
#3[15] June 15, 2022 Brian Hurtt & Tyler Crook
VARIANT: Naomi Franquiz
#4[16] July 20, 2022 Brian Hurtt & Tyler Crook
VARIANT: Andrew MacLean

Collections

Title Release Date Collects ISBN
Manor Black – Volume 1[17] February 19, 2020 Manor Black #1–4 9781506712017
Manor Black – Volume 2: Fire in the Blood[18] December 14, 2022 Manor Black: Fire in the Blood #1–4 9781506719733

Reception

Critical reception

The initial reception of Manor Black was universally positive.[19] Comedian Patton Oswalt called the series "a keeper" after reading the first three issues in advance of the first issue's release.[20] Stacy Baugher, reviewer for Major Spoilers, praised the creative team for working so seamlessly together, saying their collaborations were "among the most original and unique to be found in the industry."[21] Nathan Simmons of Adventures in Poor Taste praised Crook's artwork and considered the dialogue the high point of the issue, noting how it captured the dynamics of small town police precinct and injected humor.[22]

References

  1. ^ "Dark Horse Twitter teaser 1". Twitter.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Dark Horse Twitter teaser 2". Twitter.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Dark Horse Twitter teaser 3". Twitter.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  4. ^ Salvatore, Brian (4 April 2019). "Exclusive: New Dark Horse Miniseries "Manor Black" from Bunn, Hurtt, and Crook Debuts in July". Multiversity Comics. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  5. ^ Ferguson, James. "Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurtt, & Tyler Crook Chat Manor Black". Horror DNA. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Keith, Jed W. (24 May 2019). "The Creative Team Behind Manor Black Discusses Bringing the Supernatural Soap Opera to Life". Freak Sugar. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  7. ^ James, Jonathan (16 November 2021). "Exclusive: MANOR BLACK Returns with a Haunting New Chapter in MANOR BLACK: FIRE IN THE BLOOD". Daily Dead.
  8. ^ Tweedale, Mark (13 December 2022). ""Manor Black: Fire in the Blood" Postgame Discussion with Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook". Multiversity Comics. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  9. ^ "Manor Black #1". DarkHorse.com. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  10. ^ "Manor Black #2". DarkHorse.com. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  11. ^ "Manor Black #3". DarkHorse.com. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  12. ^ "Manor Black #4". DarkHorse.com. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  13. ^ "Manor Black: Fire in the Blood #1". DarkHorse.com. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  14. ^ "Manor Black: Fire in the Blood #2". DarkHorse.com. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  15. ^ "Manor Black: Fire in the Blood #3". DarkHorse.com. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  16. ^ "Manor Black: Fire in the Blood #4". DarkHorse.com. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  17. ^ "Manor Black TPB". DarkHorse.com. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  18. ^ "Manor Black Volume 2: Fie in the Blood TPB". DarkHorse.com. Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  19. ^ "Manor Black #1". Comicbook Round Up. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  20. ^ Oswalt, Patton. ""I JUST re-read the first 3 issues..."". Twitter. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  21. ^ Baugher, Stacy (29 July 2019). "Manor Black #1 Review". Major Spoilers. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  22. ^ Simmons, Nathan (30 July 2019). "Manor Black #1 Review". Adventures in Poor Taste. Retrieved July 31, 2019.