Halo: Cryptum by Greg Bear
Release Date: Early June

Stefen Says: This one is actually a reprint from 2011 and is the first in the forerunner saga series, which is primarily focused on the high technology and mysteriously vanished race that populated the Galaxy long before the events of the Halo games series. It’s also a cracking science fiction novel by a well-regarded author and one of many who sit in the Halo universe written by famous science fiction writers. A fun read even if you’re not a fan of the game.

From the Publisher: One hundred thousand years ago, the galaxy was populated by a great variety of beings. But one species—eons beyond all others in both technology and knowledge—achieved dominance. They ruled in peace, but met opposition with quick and brutal effectiveness. They were the Forerunners—the keepers of the Mantle of Responsibility, the next stage of life in the Universe’s Living Time. And then they vanished. This is their story.

Statues: Junji Ito Story Collection
Release Date: Early June

Stefen Says: The new collection from horror manga icon Junji Ito Is a nice little hardcover and features ten new disturbing stories that blend psychological and body horror to fuel your nightmares.

From the Publisher: Headless statues confound the mind with a terrifying question: Are they fine art or carved from the abyss? Art teacher Okabe creates strange, headless statues. One day, he is found murdered, his corpse headless. From that day on, art club member Shimada seems off somehow… Elsewhere, in a curious town custom, the dead are placed on a tatami mat and set out on the river. Kanako’s grandmother lives alone in a house near this river. What did she witness at one of these funerals long ago? And a mysterious disease makes girls suddenly become more beautiful. But soon they all die. The only way to survive might be worse than death itself…
Ten tales from horror master Junji Ito that will plant the seeds of terror in your heart.

Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook by Monique Fiso & Katie Monteith
Release Date: Late June

Stefen Says: The mania for cookbooks related to media seems to have died down, but there’s still a few hitting shelves. I can’t say I know anything about the films but I admit to being a little bit curious to see some of the interesting recipes from various Pacific island nations that will be in this one.

From the Publisher: Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the expansive and flavourful range of Pacific cuisine, this book is perfect for fans of Moana, big or small, looking to eat like the young chieftess and her friends.
Author Monique Fiso, internationally renowned for her cultural stewardship of Māori and Pasifika food, educates curious cooks on Pacific dishes while celebrating the people and region from where they originate. From easy-to-make, Maui-approved Boat Snack! to Lamb Sapasui and ‘Otai, these family-friendly recipes speak to iconic moments from Moana and Moana 2 and are accessible for chefs of all skill levels and ages.
Bring the magic of Motunui home to your table with recipes that are sure to delight any Moana superfan and foodie alike!

The Complete 2000AD by Alan Moore: Future Shocks and Other Stories
Release Date: Late June

Stefen Says: This is the first in a series of hardcover collections bringing together Alan Moore‘s work for 2000 AD magazine. While there are a few of his contributions to some of the long running series in the comic, this one is primarily devoted to his Future Shocks, a series of dark short science fiction stories, often with unexpected and confronting endings. Think Black Mirror, but with the 2000AD 80s comic vibe and political / cultural references.

From the Publisher: The first volume in a new series collecting the complete 2000 AD works of the legendary Alan Moore (Watchmen, V For Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). Alan Moore is a legendary comics writer credited with transforming the medium and how it was seen through his seminal works such as V for Vendetta, From Hell and, of course, Watchmen.
But, before any of that, he cut his teeth at 2000AD, the “galaxy’s greatest comic”. It was there that Moore honed his craft in preparation for the accolades that would follow. Moore is a master of the short-format story and this collection doubles as the perfect guide for how to write comics to a page limit. Includes the story A Holiday In Hell which has never been reprinted in English since its first publication in 1980. Moore‘s stories are complemented by the works of a string of legendary artists including Dave Gibbons (Watchmen), Ian Gibson (The Ballad of Halo Jones), Eric Bradbury (Rogue Trooper), Bryan Talbot (Grandville), Steve Dillon (Preacher), Brett Ewins (Bad Company) and more.