New Releases by Matt Ryan

Between two empires is a land of high mountains and dark forests, of great rivers and fertile plains. The richest king in Mythic Europe rules Hungary, but his nobles are restless and the Teutonic Knights he invited to guard his borders want no overlord. Other small kingdoms play east and west against each other, tolerating heresy in their search for freedom. The mountains are the home of countless dragons, and vampires stalk the peasants in their villages. To the east, a greater storm gathers.This is the Transylvanian Tribunal.One force brings light to the darkness. Here, where a lord need not swear fealty for his land, the magi of the Order of Hermes may rule openly without violating the Code. Here, in the heartland of House Tremere, the gifts and talents of all magi may be brought together, to cooperate for the good of the world. Here can be seen the shape of the new order that the Tremere wish to bring.Let us work together as one and grow hale and strong.

The True Lineages are the backbone of the Order of Hermes. In these four Hermetic Houses, each magus was taught by a magus of the House, and that master-apprentice relationship goes back to the founders. This sourcebook details the four True Lineages, including rules for original research, unique forms of magic, and new Virtues and Flaws.House Bonisagus descends from the two magi who created the Order, and continues to supply knowledge and leadership. They explore the theoretical applications of magic, delving deeper into its arcane secrets. And they advocate peace and cooperation among the Houses, searching for other wizards who might contribute to the community of magi.House Guernicus upholds and enforces the Code of Hermes as the official judges and investigators of the Order. Its Quaesitores believe they stand against the wheel of fate, slowing it as best they can. By the efforts of its magi, the basic structures of Hermetic society have remained intact for over four hundred years.House Mercere holds the magi of Mythic Europe together by facilitating communication, encouraging trade, and aiding their sodales. Its heralds, heroes, mercenaries, and merchants reflect the contractictions of their House: it is exotic, but traditional; loyal, but self-centered; proud, but humble.House Tremere provides the strength of the Order. It controls events and prepares for coming battles, gathering influence and resources to respond to crises as they draw near. Tremere are pragmatic, dutiful, and courageous magi who know that Mythic Europe is a chaotic and dangerous place.These are the True Lineages. Without them all, the Order of Hermes would surely fall.

Allie is done with being a special. But the world of alchemy still needs her to dig up a four-hundred-year-old man for a mother she may not totally trust, then create the stone to end all stones. After that, she''s free. Sounds simple enough . . . that is, if she''s not used up or dead by the end of the process.

Joey Foust has no idea he''s a wanted man and his parents aim to keep it that way. They raised him as a normal boy in a small American town, hoping he and his friends don''t discover what lies beyond. And for eighteen years, they succeed. Joey and his friends, the Preston Six, were all born on the same day, but soon come to find they have much more in common than a simple birthdate. Details of their past are suspicious, and they are determined to figure out what their parents are hiding. Small threads of new information are discovered, leading the Preston Six to venture in search for the truth. What they find pushes the boundaries of their beliefs. Now, they''re forced to leave behind everything to face an unknown adversary who''s been hunting for them since the day they were born. They must rise as one, or fall to enemy hands.

Matt Ryan is so madly creative that it is downright intimidating. A master of wordplay... utterly unpredictable. -Joey Goebel, author of Torture the Artist and The Anomalies

Advance-solicited - On sale March 31 - 144 pg, FC, $17.99 US Written by Gail Simone - Art by Aaron Lopresti, Bernard Chang & Matt Ryan - Cover by Aaron Lopresti Wonder Woman falls victim to the Black Horizon in this new paperback collecting issues #20-25 of her hit series! To save herself, she must forge an alliance with legendary warriors while trapped on a world where brutal combat rules the day.

Fantasirollespil.

"Brother John an ex-policeman turned Carmelite monk finds himself caught up in a search for a missing Italian aristocrat. The colourful procession of characters from the Byzantine past and the Vatican bring out the enduring strengths of tradition and religious faith and gives the reader an insight into the world of icons and precious relics as well as an exciting chase by yacht in stormy weather in American waters. The action takes place in Rome and the waters around New York but is set against the history of Constantinople and Armenia. The historical facts presented are accurate."