Looking at the early part of the year, you can see Image working to refine their line, setting a tone. And judging by this… it’s going to be a spooky one. Horror comics seem to be getting big traction at the third biggest comics publisher, so there’s a lot of genre + horror books coming out. We’re also going to check in on some long running favorites. Don’t take these series for granted!
As always, full solicits are on the Image Comics website.
10. Cruel Angel Theory
You know, I just can’t say no to a serial killer mystery. Is that so wrong? As Image works to redefine their line for the year, I’m glad to see some genre fare for those of us with basic taste. And leave it to a couple of pros like Peter Tomasi and spooctacular Maxim Simic. I’ve got a feeling this is going to be exactly what it looks like it’s going to be.
BLOOD TREE #1
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Illustrated by Maxim SimicTwo obsessed NYPD detectives hunt for a vicious butcher called the Angel Killer, a sociopath who preys on the innocent family members of known murderers in order to “purify” the rest of society.
From comics super team PETER J. TOMASI (Batman and Robin, Superman, Black Adam: The Dark Age, Super-Sons, Detective Comics) and MAXIM ŠIMIĆ (Escape from New York, Conan) comes a story that confronts the battle of nature versus nurture, considers how present and future generations are tainted by past generations, and asks the age-old question: Who must pay for the sins of the fathers—and perhaps even the sins of the mothers?
9. Web of Lies
I’ve been spending the end of the year catching up on all my favorites I’ve been neglecting, and “Monstress” is high on that list. This gorgeous Final Fantasy world of my nightmares has been with us a long time, earned some awards, and its place in the Pantheon of classic Image series. And it’s still coming out! Do yourself a favor by not taking this acclaimed series for granted.
MONSTRESS #43
Written by Marjorie Liu
Illustrated by Sana TakedaThousands of years ago, the court of the Shaman-Empress was a tangle of palace intrigue. Maika and Zinn find themselves caught in that web as they sink deeper into Zinn’s lost memories…if that’s truly what they are.
8. The most furious road
“Nocterra” is another series I’ve been catching up on and uh, it’s really cool? This post-apocalypse demon trucker action story has stayed pretty contained so far (you know, relatively speaking) but this new arc looks like it’s sprawling out into the greater world of survivors and the demons that prey on them. That was the right move. We’ve been with Emory Riggs for a little while, now it’s time to check in with the insanity that made her into who she is.
NOCTERRA #12
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Tony S. Daniel & Marcelo MaioloNOCTERRA returns! Emory Riggs has never had an easy life—especially not after the calamity of “PEDAL TO THE METAL.” As the new leader of Sundog Colony, he and the crew must concoct a new plan to reach Eos. But little do they realize that the shades have found a leader of their own…
7. No shirts, no shoes, no problem
It’s time to once again say goodbye to my pal and yours, Shirtless Bear Fighter. His visits are as rare and magical as Santa Clause, and he kicks just as much ass (I’ve read “Klaus”). If you know, you know. If you don’t I guess you’re waiting for the trade on this miniseries. Because Shirtless Bear Fighter delivers on that title, that premise, and that pledge. Bears are gonna get fought in this one folks.
SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER 2 #7 (OF 7)
Written by Jody LeHeup
Illustrated by Nil VendrellIt’s Shirtless vs. the bear god Ursa Major in a heart-racing cry-laughing extra-length finale you have to see to believe! WARNING: This comic is best read SHIRTLESS!
6. Tales of Compton
But here’s something different! The creator of “Killadelphia” is back with another tale of urban weirdness, this time on the left coast. It sounds like violence is coming from more places than just other residents of the city. It sounds like this is going to be the much grimier version of my all time favorite movie, <i>Attack The Block</i>. This is a premiere I don’t think I can afford to miss.
Continued belowMONARCH #1
Written by Rodney Barnes
Illustrated by Alex LinsA new tale of terror and high-stakes science fiction hits close to home!
Growing up in the city of Compton is tough enough as it is, but as Travon has learned all too well, growing up as an orphan in the city of Compton with gang members hunting you down every day is even tougher. But all of that is about to change, because today is the day that aliens make first contact with Earth—and it only spells doom for life as we know it!
Death, devastation, and mayhem—can a single teenage boy rise to the challenge and protect his surrogate family and friends…or will he die trying?
From RODNEY BARNES, the star comics writer behind the Eisner-nominated series KILLADELPHIA and the writer/executive producer of HBO’s Winning Time, and up-and-coming Marvel artist ALEX LINS comes a new tale of love, triumph, disaster, and defeat!
5. Anger leads to hate
I guess I should have realized that “I Hate Fairyland” was a big hit when I saw the ginormous banners at the Image booth ever comic con since it’s started coming out. But for some reason, Skottie Young has just become part of the landscape to me. But this has sort of become his signature work, huh? Good on you Skottie, great to see you escaping the infinite ocean of baby-themed variant covers.
I HATE FAIRYLAND (2022) #4
Written by Skottie Young
Illustrated by Brett BeanGert continues her journey through the Inferno in search of the backdoor to Fairyland and finds herself stripped of, well…everything! NAKED and AFRAID, Gert is now a CASTAWAY in a strange land with no way back to civilization. Oh, I almost forgot—there’s a dope cliffhanger, too.
4. The best cloaks are the dark ones
Kelly Thompson has sort of carved out a niche of irreverent spy capers, a mood I really like. But no matter what tone she’s working in, she always remains fundamentally true to her characters. I’m thrilled to see her taking that talent to a fantasy world, where she can really work with artist Meridith McClaren to make some weird worlds.
BLACK CLOAK #2
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Meredith McClarenMurdered prince. Hungry mermaids. Vengeful queen. Plentiful suspects. Dead assassin. Dying Black Cloak. So far this case is going to the devils. And it’s super great that absolutely everything is on the line. No pressure!
3. By Crom it’s here!
Brian Haberlin has been low-key influencing what I think is cool since I was a kid. He’s another guy who tends to favor dark alleyways and hidden worlds. But this world looks like everything is living as loud as possible, in leather armor and with battleaxes. Barbarian is another genre that’s appealing to my most basic tendencies, but I can’t get enough of it! I trust my guy Haberlin to make it stylish.
THE LAST BARBARIANS #1
Written by Brian Haberlin
Illustrated by Brian Haberlin and Geirrod Van DykeTo be Classless is a whole new low…
You’d think in a fantastic world full of giants, magic, and flying fish, it would be a world of possibility. But you’d be dead wrong here! Sylv is a jack of all trades; she can fight with the best of them, pick most pockets, and even cast a third-level spell or two. It’s too bad for her that if you aren’t a member of a guild, you are persona non grata: completely outcast from adventuring. That might be fine, except she has her disabled seven-foot-tall brother to take care of. If she can’t find a job to support them both, they’ll be dead in a ditch in a matter of weeks. So now her only hope is a quest from a sketchy cleric who promises only a true hero can save the day. Sylv has a lot of skills…and she’ll need them all to survive this hero’s journey!
2. Don’t trust Gwendolyn
The ultimate classic comic that I take for granted, “Saga” is so good you guys. I recently caught up, and it is incredible how much this series can still make me laugh and cry. This issue features my favorite character from the first half of the series, Gwendolyn, on the cover. I cannot even with Gwendolyn now you guys, she’s gotten super scary. I vow to keep up with this comic until the bitter end!
Continued belowSAGA #62
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrated by Fiona StaplesWhile Hazel and her family fight for scraps to survive the rich and powerful make their move.
1. Superhuman punches gator
Regulars of this column will know that I have a soft spot for the efforts of Tim Seeley, who has never though of a lurid premise he couldn’t make wildly entertaining. But I think I am even more excited by the involvement of Tony Fleecs, who if anything is even more interesting. He turned me from a skeptic to a believer with his last Image series, “Stray Dogs.” I won’t make the mistake of underestimating him again.
LOCAL MAN #1
Written by Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs
Illustrated by Tim Seeley and Brian ReberSTRAY DOGS creator TONY FLEECS teams with REVIVAL’s TIM SEELEY for a series that combines rural crime noir and superhero action.
Once the star recruit of the media sensation super-team THIRD GEN JACK XAVER had it all. But when controversy sends CROSSJACK crawling back to his mom and dad’s basement in the Midwest Jack struggles to fit into a world he left far behind. And then the bodies start piling up.
Each issue is a classic Image Comics FLIP BOOK with a lead story drawn by FLEECS and a superhero flashback into the depths of the Image Universe drawn by SEELEY. First issue contains 30 pages of story for only $3.99!
