Though Dark Horse isn’t bringing a booth to Comic-Con this year, they are bringing power. Perhaps a dark power, as one of their most exciting announcements is that Steve Niles and David Dastmalchian are joining forces for a crossover between occult detective Cal McDonald and reluctant monster hunter Count Crowley.
From the Pit They Came forces the two to fight an underworld creature while navigating a fan convention. Both Niles and Dastmalchian will have spotlight panels at Comic-Con on Friday, July 22, where no doubt this one-shot will be talked about. Appropriate for this crossover, these panels intersect, so it may be a choice of one or the other.
Spotlight on Steve Niles
3:00-4:00PM – Room 9
Writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre) has been an independent force in horror comics for over 25 years. Come for an extensive interview with Steve by writer Shannon Eric Denton (Jimmy Neutron) and a Q&A session.Niles and Denton partner in Monsterforge Productions, which may also have announcements coming.
The Multiverse of David Dastmalchian
3:30-4:30PM – Room 5AB
Actor David Dastmalchian (Dune, The Suicide Squad, Ant-Man) discusses his experience crossing between fandoms and franchises and how that has affected his career and his take on the craft—how much was planned, and what was a surprise. As “The Man Who Walks Between Worlds” David even created his own universe series at Dark Horse Comics, Count Crowley, arriving full circle from consumer to player to creator. With roles in multiple installments of both the DC and Marvel universes along with classic sci-fi and horror, what universe might be next on David’s list? The Hollywood Reporter’s Aaron Couch will moderate.
More information on the one-shot from Dark Horse:
Horror luminaries Steve Niles (Criminal Macabre) and David Dastmalchian (Count Crowley – Writer; The Suicide Squad – Actor) are teaming up to write the Criminal Macabre/Count Crowley: From The Pit They Came one-shot! Count Crowley artist Lukas Ketner and colorist Lauren Affe return to provide art for the not-to-miss horror event of the season!
What could be more dicey than a monster hunter with a self-destructive streak? TWO monster hunters with self-destructive streaks! Plop them both into the weirdly wonderful world of fan conventions as they seek to capture a rampaging creature from deep beneath the earth, and the good times will really get rolling!
Storied creature catcher, Cal McDonald joins forces (kind of) with novice beast buster Jerri Bartman in the Criminal Macabre/Count Crowley: From The Pit They Came!
“Working with David and Lukas has been a thrill and way too much fun,” said Steve Niles. “Everything came together so smoothly by the time we were finished I wanted to keep going. I hope people enjoy the crossover half as much as I enjoyed working on it.”
“I remember discovering Criminal Macabre in Graham Crackers comics in Chicago and immediately knowing I’d found a new favorite title,” added David Dastmalchian on the collaboration. “Steve Niles has inspired and entertained me for many years and the chance to collaborate with him on a story that unites our flawed heroes has been a highlight in my writing journey.”
Criminal Macabre/Count Crowley: From The Pit They Came one-shot will be in comic shops October 26, 2022. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop.
Be sure to follow Dark Horse Comics on social media for more news, announcements, and updates all throughout the convention. Join us in sharing the news and excitement with the tags @darkhorsecomics and #DHSDCC22!
