Dark Horse Comics has officially announced it will release Gou Tanabe’s manga adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s novella, The Shadow Out of Time, with the volume set to ship on October 28 to bookstores and October 29 to comic book stores. This highly anticipated release continues Dark Horse’s commitment to bringing Tanabe’s acclaimed cosmic horror manga to English-speaking audiences.
Delving into the Cosmic Horror: “The Shadow Out of Time”
Gou Tanabe’s adaptation of The Shadow Out of Time, originally titled Toki o Koeru Kage in Japan, delves into one of H.P. Lovecraft’s most mind-bending tales of cosmic horror and identity. The story centers on Nathaniel Wingate Peaslee, a respectable professor of political economy at Miskatonic University. In 1908, Peaslee suffers a sudden, cataclysmic collapse, only to reawaken five years later with no memory of his interim period. During this lost time, his body was inhabited by an alien intelligence, leading to strange behaviors and research that disturbed those around him. His subsequent search for understanding leads him on a global journey to uncover the truth behind his missing years and a long-vanished, ancient race.
Tanabe originally serialized the manga in Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Beam from April 2018 to November 2018. The manga is known for its intricate and faithful depiction of Lovecraft’s unsettling narratives and grotesque entities, earning praise for its detailed black-and-white artwork.
Key Characters and Plot Points
- Nathaniel Wingate Peaslee: The protagonist, a professor who experiences a profound disassociation and memory loss.
- The Great Race of Yith: An ancient, highly intelligent alien species capable of projecting their consciousness through time and space, inhabiting the bodies of other beings. The story explores Peaslee’s connection to this race.
- Miskatonic University: The fictional Arkham-based university, a recurring element in Lovecraft’s Mythos, serving as the initial setting for Peaslee’s mysterious collapse.
Gou Tanabe’s Acclaimed Lovecraft Adaptations
Gou Tanabe has garnered significant recognition for his meticulous and terrifying manga adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft’s classic works. Dark Horse Comics has been at the forefront of bringing these adaptations to English readers, building a substantial catalog.
Previous Dark Horse Lovecraft Releases
- The Hound and Other Stories: Released in August 2017, this collection includes adaptations of “The Hound,” “The Temple,” and “The Nameless City.”
- At the Mountains of Madness: Dark Horse began releasing this series in June 2019, later offering a deluxe edition. This adaptation was nominated for Best Comic by the 46th Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2019, and also for Eisner and Harvey Awards.
- The Shadow Over Innsmouth: A single omnibus volume of this adaptation was also released by Dark Horse.
- The Call of Cthulhu: Released in October 2024 (July 2024 for bookstores), this adaptation won the Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel award at the Bram Stoker Awards.
- The Colour Out of Space: The most recent release prior to The Shadow Out of Time, it shipped on July 1.
Zack Davisson, who has translated Dark Horse Comics’ previous English releases of Tanabe’s Lovecraft adaptations, is returning as the translator for The Shadow Out of Time. Steve Dutro will handle the lettering. Tanabe’s dedication to faithfully recreating Lovecraft’s cosmic dread has made his adaptations a cornerstone for fans of both manga and horror literature.
