“REEFER MADNESS” BURNS THROUGH DARK HORSE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dark Horse to publish a paperback edition of “Reefer Madness” MILWAUKIE, Ore., (September 19, 2016)—Now that 3 states have legalized it for recreational use, 19 for medical use, and with legalization on the November ballot in 5, it is especially fun to relive the hysteria surrounding marijuana as a perceived gateway drug from the 1930's to the 1950's and beyond. And now you can do so in the comfort of your home with Reefer Madness from Dark Horse Books. Like the anti-drug propaganda films of that era, these stories range from comically misinformed to soberly concerned about the influence of Mary Jane on the youth of America. With titles like Teenage Dope Slaves, Satan’s Cigarettes, and Hopped-Up Killer, the gulf in attitudes between today and the days of Reefer Madness could not be wider. Includes a long introduction summarizing the anti pot campaigns of the first drug czar, Harry Anslinger, and newspaperman William Randolph Hearst, with lurid covers from many of the comics and magazines of the day. The comics collected in Reefer Madness come from comic book legends like Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (Adventure Comics), Frank Frazetta, Jerry Robinson, and Jack Kirby. Eisner and Harvey award winner Craig Yoe brings a new collection of wacky, wild, and culturally relevant comics to the mix. Reefer Madness goes on sale March 29, 2017. ### About Dark Horse For thirty years, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, the company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent, such as Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Geof Darrow, Brian Wood, Gail Simone, Stan Sakai, and Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends, such as Will Eisner, Milo Manara, Kazuo Koike, Neil Gaiman, and Frank Miller, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties, such as The Mask, Ghost, X, and Barb Wire. Its successful line of comics, manga, and products based on popular properties includes Dragon Age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Tomb Raider, Halo, The Witcher, Serenity, Game of Thrones, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.