Because you demanded it, we’re following up our “Five Image Comics To Watch For In 2012” with a few more entries focused on other publishers. We know that you, as a discerning reader with a limited amount of money to spend, are looking for some of the very best books to hitch your wagon to with the coming new year, and if the world is really going to end then you might as well read some of the best comics. Sometimes, believe it or not, those comics come from companies that aren’t just Marvel or DC, and today we’re going to share a few with you!
On Monday we told you about five Dark Horse books we’re anxious for, and today we look at IDW books we’re excited for — anxiously awaiting you after the jump.
Memorial
Creative Team: Chris Roberson and Rich Ellis
Why You Should Be Excited: The first issue in this story is in stores right now (today, as a matter of fact!), and is described by Roberson as “Doctor Who meets Sandman by way of Miyazaki.” That description conjures up so many exciting mental images that it should have warranted your pre-order months ago and, if not, assuredly your purchase today. Starring a young girl named Em, a talking cat (always a favorite here at Multiversity) and set in a magical shop, the book follows in the footsteps of IDW’s highly acclaimed Locke & Key in turns of the format for this ongoing, and if it is anything like Locke then this book is going to have us going crazy with excitement before 2012 has even reached the halfway mark.
Roberson has already proven himself a talented new creator, and with the wonderful Rich Ellis on art the book is guaranteed to be a hit.
Road Rage
Creative Team: Stephen King, Joe Hill, Chris Ryall and Nelson Daniel
Why You Should Be Excited: Really, this should be absolutely explanatory. But, if for some reason it isn’t, allow me to elaborate: Stephen King. Joe Hill.
I don’t know what more explanation you need.
Smoke and Mirrors
Creative Team: Mike Costa and Ryan Browne
Why You Should Be Excited: If the Prestige was a magic act disguised as a movie (based on a book), then Smoke and Mirrors is a magic act disguised as a comic book. This, in all honesty, is enough to have us sold on the title, as we are quite admittedly fans of magic (especially magicians who come out to the tune of “The Final Countdown”).
We’ve been following Ryan Browne for some time now thanks to his hilarious work on God Hates Astronauts and Blast Furnace, and now to see him go from “awesome but underappreciated webcomic artist” to “future artist of highly succesful comic at IDW” is quite a pleasure for us, personally. Plus, add Mike Costa (who, as our very own Chad Bowers tells the rest of us, can write a mean GI Joe comic) and you’ve got a duo that is sure to hit it big with this series.
Danger Girl: Revolver
Creative Team: Andy Hartnell and Chris Madden
Why You Should Be Excited: I never had an opportunity to read a Danger Girl book when I was younger, only really hearing about them because someone made a skin for the videogame The Sims based on the characters. To me, they were just a bunch of girls in costumes that I had in a house with Boba Fett and Vincent Valentine, or Bill Clinton. It was only later I learned that Danger Girl was actually a comic, and quite a popular one to boot.
IDW recently released a nice big hardcover of Danger Girl comics reprinting the career making work for original creators Andy Hartnell and Scott Campbell, and Revolver sees the original creators returning to their book with Chris Madden after years of the gals being pushed off into weird crossovers featuring Ash from Army of Darkness and so on. If there is a time for the gals to make a comeback, I don’t see why 2012 couldn’t be it.
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More Locke and Key
Creative Team: Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
Why You Should Be Excited: While the final arc “Omega” is currently slated for 2013, you can rest assured that there will be something from the Locke & Key camp in 2012. There almost always is.
And hey, even if there isn’t, there is never a bad time to get yourself acquainted with one of the best ongoings in comics right now, if you haven’t already. Seriously. I can’t recommend this book enough.
