What would you do if you were a hulking, carrot-nosed, bad-tempered (yet well-intentioned) physical anomaly who couldn't feel any pain? You would probably become an errant angel-of-mercy, putting the world's unhappiest, unluckiest bastards out of their misery when they're too chicken to do it themselves, right? Maybe not, but that's what Egon does, and if you know what's good for you, you won't argue with the man.

Egon first hit the international comics scene in 1995 -- the product of a talented team of young Italian artists and writers. Now Dark Horse is proud to bring the first English translation of this killer collection to American stores.

In the first issue, Egon, with the help of his dim-witted sidekick, Theodore, sets out to right the wrongs in the life of a poor, disgruntled housewife. Like most of the people they "help," however, her situation seems a little beyond repair. Maybe poor Suzanne would have welcomed Egon's unique remedy for a life gone sour, but no one really knows for sure because -- thanks to a minor oversight on Theodore's part -- it's not Suzanne they "cure"; it's someone else.

Readers can decide for themselves: is Egon a twisted, tortured altruist, a benevolent grim-reaper, or is he merely a deluded psychopath seeking justification for his little "acts of mercy"? "We don't kill," he reminds Theodore, "we save people from their daily lives."

Creators Tatjana, Alberto Ponticelli, and Shok Studio are about to make a big impression on American comics fans. For all its dark comedy and violent mayhem, Egon makes for a riveting read. And special mention should be made of the art as well; it's not your average-looking comic. Issue one of this two-part series goes on sale January 7 for $2.95.