This Just Happened: Dial S for Sidekick

SPOILER ALERT: If you have not read DIAL H #10 and do not wish to know what happens, stop reading this post now (major spoilers ahead!)

From the creative team of Hugo award winning novelist China Mieville and artists Alberto Ponticelli and Dan Green, DIAL H transports readers into another world where the H-dial, an unbelievably powerful artifact, can turn you into almost any superhero imaginable. All you have to do is: Dial H for hero!

Following the events of the last couple of issues, the search of our protagonists (Nelson and Roxie) to unlock the mysteries of the H-dial has led them to Canada. But they have discovered that they are not alone in that search … the Centipede is following their every step!

Together, The Bristol Bloodhound and The Glimpse escape from the clutches of the Centipede. With nowhere to go, Roxie suggests that the heroes head to a safe house and wait for her there. When she arrives, Nelson explains to her that he was safe with The Bristol Bloodhound, now revealed to be warrant officer Mason Jones, because he did whatever Nelson asked him to do.

Roxie decides that there must be a problem with Jones’ dial and decides to see for herself. But when she dials 4376, the number for hero, it doesn’t work! Jones reveals that Roxie’s number is not the one he calls, and instead he calls 7433. Roxie is puzzled, but Nelson knows what the problem is … 7433 spells S-I-D-E, which means that Jones has been dialing S for sidekick! Will this new discovery be the key to unlocking the mysteries of the H-Dial? Place your bets in the comments section below and keep reading DIAL H to see what happens next!

Below, take a look at a page from “On the Side of the Angels” as the S-dial is discovered. And don’t forget to pick up your copy of DIAL H #10, in stores now!

 

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Dial H, china mieville, alberto ponticelli, Dan Green

Alberto Ponticelli joins DIAL H as new artist

 

Starting with issue #7, Alberto Ponticelli (UNKNOWN SOLDIER) joins as the artist of the series Entertainment Weekly says is “a terrific tale of an ordinary schlub raised to hero status by accident. . . . Detailed vividly by Mieville, Dial H is full of cleverness and narrative energy.”

 

Available December 5, DIAL H written by China Mieville begins a new storyline. Nelson and Manteau are off to Europe in search of a relic that might hold the answer to their secret powers! Meanwhile, a powerful stranger arrives in Littleville to await their return.

 

Here’s the first look at the incredible cover of issue #7 by Brian Bolland:


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Dial H, china mieville, alberto ponticelli

David Lapham joins DIAL H as guest artist

 

Artist extraordinaire, David Lapham (Stray Bullets, Fringe: Tales From The Fringe, Silverfish) joins China Miéville for a stand-alone story where Nelson is stuck inside his house after he dials up a politically incorrect hero and Manteau reveals some of her forbidden and dangerous guises in the Refusenik Dossier.

 

 

 

“DIAL H is one of those offbeat comic concepts like The Creeper or Doom Patrol or Metal Men that every artist and comics lover digs and secretly wants to draw,” Lapham told THE SOURCE. “It's a crazy trip into your imagination, and I can't wait to dig in to China Miéville's off beat and very funny script and do it justice.”

 

 

 

DIAL H #6 arrives in stores on November 7th. Below, take an exclusive first look at the cover by Brian Bolland.


 

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david lapham, Dial H, china mieville

Preview Mondays: DIAL H #2 and SWEET TOOTH #34

For this week’s installment of Preview Mondays, we’re giving you exclusive first looks at DIAL H #2 and SWEET TOOTH #34!

 

Last month, you were introduced to the world of DIAL H. As part of the “Second Wave” of DC COMICS-THE NEW 52, the inaugural issue was a dark look at the psychological effects on an everyman who accidentally gains powers to become a hero. In issue #2, Nelse begins to learn how to use the H DIAL and become an array of different heroes. But the more he figures out, the more he begins to suspect there is something sinister at work. And who’s trying to hunt him down? DIAL H #2 is written by acclaimed novelist China Mieville and is illustrated by Mateus Santolouco. Click here to see an exclusive preview of the issue.

 

A special stand-alone issue, SWEET TOOTH #34 spans from the beginning of the Plague to the present. Written and illustrated by Jeff Lemire and featuring guest art by Nathan Powell, the issue tells the story of two brothers, Johnny and Abbot. But what caused the rift between these two siblings and can their relationship be saved before it’s too late? Click here to see an exclusive preview of SWEET TOOTH #34.

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Preview Mondays, Dial H, sweet tooth, china mieville, mateus santolouco, jeff lemire, Nathan Powell

Artist Mateus Santolouco talks DIAL H

“Dial H has been a really exciting ride all the way.

 

I'm particularly enjoying the dark but fun tone of the series so far. China is an incredibly imaginative guy and he is bringing his weird fantasy side to the world of superheroes, which is a perfect match for Dial H and I'm loving it. He's taking this simple concept of random heroes to an... well, it's amazing, I think you should see it for yourself!

 

Artwise, I have a lot of freedom to help with the adaptation of his master writing-- dynamic and at the same time rough, almost horror-like, way of storytelling for comics-- which gives a completely different level of pleasure to work with. Of course I won’t forget the best part that is the chance to create the designs of all these crazy and bizarre heroes that Mr. Miéville is coming up with for every single issue. I'm having a blast with those and I think people will love it just as well.

 

This is a surreal moment on my career where I get to work with all these legends, like Karen Berger, China and Brian Bolland. You know? When I would think of the idea of having Brian Bolland drawing characters that I designed? I mean, never! Like I said, this is surreal just like Dial H is!”

 

--Mateus Santolouco


 

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Dial H, mateus santolouco, china mieville, dc comics-the new 52 "second wave"

The 2012 Hugo Award Finalists Have Been Announced

The Hugo Award finalists for 2012, honoring excellence in science fiction and fantasy, were announced in the UK. In the Best Graphic Story category, the finalists include two Vertigo titles:

 

Fables Vol 15: Rose Red, written by Bill Willingham and illustrated by Mark Buckingham (Vertigo)

 

The Unwritten (Volume 4): Leviathan written by Mike Carey, illustrated by Peter Gross (Vertigo)

 

In addition, we’d like to give a special nod to Neil Gaiman for his nomination in the category of Best Dramatic Performance (Short Form), Paul Cornell in the category of Best Novelette and China Miéville in the category of Best Novel. Gaiman is the writer of the bestselling SANDMAN series and BLACK ORCHID,  available later this month in a Deluxe Edition, Cornell is currently writing DEMON KNIGHTS and the new Vertigo series SAUCER COUNTRY and Miéville is new to the group with his debut DIAL H coming from DC Comics this May.

 

Congratulations to all the finalists! For the full list, head over to TheHugoAwards.org. The winners will be presented at the 2012 World Science Fiction Convention, August 30 to September 3, 2012 in Chicago.

 

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the hugo awards, fables, the unwritten, bill willingham, mark buckingham, mike carey, peter gross, neil gaiman, sandman, black orchid, paul cornell, ryan kelley, saucer country, demon knights, china mieville, Dial H

China Miéville is talking about DIAL H

 

 

 

As you know by now, award winning author China Miéville is about to debut as the writer of his first ongoing comic book series, DIAL H. Here’s what China wants you to know about it.

 

“The problem is, it sounds like marketing puff, it sounds too trite - but here's the thing. The reason that I'm excited about doing Dial H is because honestly and truly, it is the title that I have, for literally years, been asking DC to let me work on. And no matter how fantastic it may be to be offered a character, a title that you've read and loved for years, there can't be anything like being given the chance to restart the one of your own dreams. Which, ever since I stumbled on the 80s run of Dial H for Hero, this mythos of multifariousness, of endlessly fecund transmogrification and unlikely heroism with freakishly inappropriate powersets, has been my utter dream project. I still find it hard to believe that it is, for a while at least, mine.” 

 

Get ready to pick up issue #1 this May.


 

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Dial H, china mieville, mateus santolouco

Bob Wayne is talking about DIAL H

 

 

 

You’ve heard from editor Karen Berger, and writers Paul Cornell and Jeff Lemire earlier this week. Now, DC Entertainment’s Senior VP of Sales, Bob Wayne is getting in on the excitement. Here’s what he has to say about DIAL H.

 

 

 

“China Miéville’s series proposal for DIAL H is the most compelling one I’ve read since Neil Gaiman’s series proposal for SANDMAN.  (And I’ve read a few series proposals…)  He brings a unique voice to The New 52 with his wild reinvention of the Dial H concept.”

 

 


 

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Dial H, china mieville, mateus santolouco

Jeff Lemire is talking about DIAL H

 

Jeff Lemire, the writer of such terrific series as ANIMAL MAN and Vertigo’s SWEET TOOTH, also had the opportunity to read an early copy of DIAL H issue #1 and here’s what he had to say:

 

"China Miéville remixes the superhero, horror and fantasy genres into an
incredible hybrid of imagination. DIAL H fits right in with Animal Man
and Swamp Thing and may end up being better than both!"

 

Wow! That’s some high praise. Are you getting even more excited for May yet?

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jeff lemire, china mieville, Dial H, mateus santolouco

Editor Karen Berger takes on DIAL H

 

 

China Miéville is a brilliantly imaginative writer, and secretly might even be one of the smartest people in the world. I’m a big fan  of his novels— If I have to pick a favorite, which is hard, I’d say it’s the Hugo Award-winning THE CITY AND THE CITY, a mesmerizing  politically  charged murder mystery that takes place in two cities that  exist in overlapping realities.

When we first met, I was thrilled to discover that China was not only a longtime comics fan, but that he also wanted to take a stab at writing a series as well.  And the series he most wanted to write more than anything was DIAL H.  So as strange fate would have it, I found myself editing a book for the DC Universe!

Like the other titles in the Dark group, DIAL H takes place on the fringes of the DC Universe. It’s wild, intense, funny, disturbing, and action-packed, featuring a most unlikely hero with unpredictable powers and some of the strangest heroes and villains ever. And that’s just the first   issue. Joining China on this title is artist Mateus Santolouco, who has previously drawn a couple of issues of AMERICAN VAMPIRE for Vertigo. Mateus brings a dynamically dark style with some truly wonderful ever-changing character designs for our heroes. He blew us away with his samples, and we’re so pleased that he’s part of this book. And wrapping it all up, is none other than the delightfully twisted Norman Rockwell of comics himself-the fabulous Brian Bolland on covers.

I’m having a great time working with everyone on this book, and I can’t wait for everyone else to have a read in May of this fascinating new series.

-Karen Berger

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china mieville, Dial H, mateus santolouco, karen berger, brian bolland

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