Looking ahead at the books that Image will be putting out in April, I feel a genuine sense of excitement for all the new worlds I’ll get to explore. There are so many great books coming out that I didn’t even have time to gush over “Deadly Class,” “Fire Power,” or the new Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel series “Nocterra.” So consider those my honorable mentions. But what made the cut for what I’m most excited for? Read on and find out!
10. Tale as Old as Time
Confession time: I’ve never read “The Old Guard.” I know, I’m a buffoon, but hey we all make mistakes. The great thing about mistakes though is that you always have time to make up for them. So when I saw that “The Old Guard: Tales Through Time” would be debuting this April, telling stories from within the world of “The Old Guard” from some of the best names in comics today – yeah, I knew I finally had my opening. Image has announced that creators Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández will be joined by Kelly Sue DeConnick, Vita Ayala, Matt Fraction, David Walker, and more, which immediately has me hooked. Quick, bite-sized action stories with incredible warriors throughout time. Sold. It’s a low commitment anthology series that showcases great creative names and serves as an introduction to the series for myself and many other new readers. Don’t make the same mistakes I have in the past – pick this one up.
THE OLD GUARD: TALES THROUGH TIME #1 (of 6)
WRITERS: Greg Rucka & Andrew Wheeler
ARTISTS: Leandro Fernandez & Jacopo Camagni
COVER A: Leandro Fernandez
COVER B: Jacopo Camagni
COVER C Interconnecting “Battlefield” Variant: LEANDRO FERNÁNDEZ Leandro Fernandez
APRIL 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99A STAR-STUDDED ANTHOLOGY EVENT!
The bestselling, critically acclaimed THE OLD GUARD, now a hit Netflix movie starring Charlize Theron, returns with all-new stories by writers GREG RUCKA, VITA AYALA, BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, KELLY SUE DeCONNICK, MATT FRACTION, DAVID F. WALKER, and more, and artists LEANDRO FERNÁNDEZ, HORACIO ALTUNA, RICK BURCHETT, VALENTINE DE LANDRO, JUSTIN GREENWOOD, KANO, NICOLA SCOTT, and more!Andromache the Scythian—a warrior over six thousand years old, who has fought more battles than she cares to remember—has kept one constant companion through her long lifetime of combat…her labrys. Andy’s battle axe takes many forms, and many lives, in its centuries at her side, a story told by THE OLD GUARD creators GREG RUCKA & LEANDRO FERNÁNDEZ.
Meanwhile, Nicolo “Nicky” di Genova and Yusuf “Joe” al-Kaysani, lovers since they tried (and failed) to kill each other in the First Crusade, spend an evening at Berlin’s famed Eldorado nightclub in the twilight era of 1932, sharing drinks with drag queens and fistfighting Nazis in an all-new story by writer ANDREW WHEELER (Another Castle: Grimoire) and JACOPO CAMAGNI (NOMEN OMEN)!
9. It’s Where the Heart is
While traveling to the U.S. border, a young boy is torn away from his mother and develops superpowers. In the modern day, immigration has become one of the most hotly discussed and debated issues, but I feel like many people forget about the people that lie at the heart of the issue. “Home” looks to tackle that core directly, through a familiar superhero lens that can help capture people’s attention. As a Cuban-American, I am looking forward to discovering fellow Cuban-American writer Julio Anta’s voice, to see where I can find myself in this story. And beyond that, Anna Wieszczyk’s art looks intimate and personal. I have high hopes for this mini.
Continued belowHOME #1 (of 5)
WRITER: Julio Anta
ARTIST: Anna Wieszczyk
COVER: Lisa Sterle
APRIL 14 / 32 PAGES / FC / T / $3.99When a young boy is torn away from his mother while seeking asylum at the U.S. border, something begins to change in him, and it isn’t just the trauma, anxiety, and guilt you’d expect. He doesn’t know it yet, but it’s the onset of superhuman abilities that will change his life forever.
JULIO ANTA and ANNA WIESZCZYK debut with a deeply grounded and heartfelt five-issue series that explores the real-world implications of a migrant with extraordinary powers.
8. Burst Your Bubble
When “Crossover” debuted last year, I didn’t really know what to make of it. I went into the series with very little knowledge of the core premise and honestly, I invested based purely on my faith in Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw. Well, when issue 3 of the series came out, my faith was rewarded and it all clicked into place. Suddenly, every door was opened at once and anything became possible. Now, I’m eagerly looking forward to the unfolding saga of Ellie, Ava, and even Otto. Issue 6 finishes off the first arc of the series and if I know anything about these creators, they’re going to make sure to give us a sensational cliffhanger that’ll shake us to our core. It should be fun.
CROSSOVER #6
WRITER: Donny Cates
ARTISTS / COVER: Geoff Shaw, Dee Cunniffe & John J. Hill
APRIL 28 / 36 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99“KIDS LOVE CHAINS,” Part Six
The dome has been shattered. The world is burning. Everything has come undone. DO NOT miss the SHOCKING conclusion to the blockbuster final chapter of “KIDS LOVE CHAINS!”
7. Writer’s Block
“Radiant Black” is a new superhero comic book from Kyle Higgins and Marcelo Costa about a young, failed writer who suddenly gets superpowers. That premise alone is sure to get a lot of people interested in this series, but what’s keeping us there beyond some simple wish fulfillment? Issue 3 of the new book sees Nathan working on his new novel, trying to find a moment of quiet in the midst of his suddenly-hectic life. Presumably, this issue will start fleshing out not only the world of the story but the lead character too. I’ve been a big fan of Kyle Higgins for years so I’ll follow him just about anywhere, and Marcelo Costa’s sleek art assures me that this’ll be a very pretty series.
RADIANT BLACK #3
WRITER: KYLE HIGGINS
ARTIST / COVER A: MARCELO COSTA
COVER B: BECCA CAREY
COVER C (1:25): GOÑI MONTES
APRIL 21 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99Okay, that’s it. Nathan’s getting down to business today: he’s finally working on his novel. All he needs is some solitary writing time—no “helpful” parents, no superhero social media, and definitely no alien voices beaming an unintelligible language into his brain. That’s not too much to ask for, right?
6. Crisis Counseling
As “Commanders in Crisis” passes the halfway point of its twelve issue run, the story has turned on its head and everything looks like it’s about to go horribly wrong. I mean, as I’m writing this now we’ve only had four issues of the series and things are already looking bad, so I can only imagine how bad it will get by the time “Commanders in Crisis” Vol. 1 comes out in TP. Steve Orlando and Davide Tinto’s dissection of “crisis” style storytelling has been a slow burn in a lot of ways though, so I’m looking forward to grabbing this collected edition of the first six issues and reading that first half all over again to see how it changes my perception of the story. Plus, the series is an easy recommendation, so I’ll appreciate being able to hand people a paperback edition to sink their teeth into.
Continued belowCOMMANDERS IN CRISIS, VOL. 1: THE ACTION TP
WRITER: Steve Orlando
ARTIST / COVER: Davide Tinto
APRIL 28 / 144 PAGES / FC / M / $16.99The last survivors of the Multiverse live among us under new, superheroic identities, five survivors of doomed worlds…taking a second chance to ensure our world lives on. A new twist on strange superhero comics, with a bleeding-edge eye on the modern moment, COMMANDERS IN CRISIS follows in the footsteps of Doom Patrol and Thunderbolts as five unexpected heroes come together to solve a murder unlike any other. The victim? Compassion itself…This is ideacide!
A new series by acclaimed writer STEVE ORLANDO (Wonder Woman, Doom Patrol: Milk Wars, Martian Manhunter) and artist DAVIDE TINTO (Marvel Action: Spider-Man), an intense, weird action thriller reminding us about the importance of compassion and hope in the present moment, and putting fists to faces along the way!
Collects COMMANDERS IN CRISIS #1-6
5. Throwing Shade
A couple of years ago, Joe Henderson and Lee Garbett hooked me on their fun sci-fi series “Skyward.” That book was a refreshing look at a world where something we take for granted – gravity – suddenly went haywire and stopped working, causing almost everything on the planet to become chaotic and terrifying. Now, the duo look to do the same with shadows, as young Zadie tries to navigate a world where shadows are coming to life. I don’t need to know much else about this series to know that I’m excited for it. In particular, I’m looking forward to whatever Lee Garbett is able to imagine through his great art.
SHADECRAFT #2
WRITER: Joe Henderson
ARTIST: Lee Garbett & Antonio Fabela
COVER A: Lee Garbett
COVER B: Tula Lotay
APRIL 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / T / $3.99As if surviving high school wasn’t hard enough, now Zadie has to contend with killer shadow monsters too. On the upside, her own shadow has come to life and is determined to protect her. So that should even things out…right? But what is up with the new school guidance counselor, who seems to know a lot more than she lets on??
4. Explosive Potential
Geoff Johns and Gary Frank are leaving the comfy confines of DC and daring into the world of creator-owned comics with “Geiger.” In a world ravaged by nuclear war, desperate outlaws fight for survival. Amongst the living, a mysterious man known as Geiger strikes fear into the hearts of the Nightcrawlers and the Organ People. But who exactly is he? Admittedly, I have some skepticism towards this series because it seems like marquee creators of this calibre rarely stick around for the long haul, but the novelty of two of the biggest names working today striking out to create their own world is interesting enough to get me in the door. The quality of this comic will determine if I come back for more.
GEIGER #1
WRITER: Geoff Johns
ARTIST: Gary Frank & Brad Anderson
COVER A: Gary Frank
COVER B: Erik Larsen
COVER C: Jason Fabok
COVER E: Gary Frank Glow in the Dark
APRIL 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99The critically acclaimed team of writer GEOFF JOHNS and artist GARY FRANK unites with superstar colorist BRAD ANDERSON to bring their first creator-owned hero to Image Comics!
Set in the years after a nuclear war ravaged the planet, desperate outlaws battle for survival in a world of radioactive chaos. Out past the poisoned wasteland lives a man even the Nightcrawlers and Organ People fear. Some name him Joe Glow, others call him the Meltdown Man. But his name…is Geiger.
3. Historical Fantasy
A fantasy series where the ancient Aztec’s defeated the spanish Conquistadors and got to develop into their own fantastic society? Dope. There are a lot of fun fantasy series out in the world today, but very few tackle Latinx culture to a substantial degree. This sounds like a refreshing change of pace for a genre that has grown very stale for me. The first issue also comes with a one-shot RPG in the back of the book, which I will definitely be playing with my friends in-between campaigns. This one looks like a winner. The art from Rahmat Handoko and Bryan Valenza looks great.
Continued belowHELM GREYCASTLE #1 (of 4)
WRITER: Henry Barajas
ARTIST / COVER A: Rahmat Handoko & Bryan Valenza
COVER B: David Lapham
COVER C: Tony Parker
COVER D: Becky Cloonan
APRIL 28 / 40 PAGES / FC / T+ / $4.99New Latinx fantasy by HENRY BARAJAS, author of the critically acclaimed LA VOZ DE M.A.Y.O.: TATA RAMBO! The last dragon prince has been abducted—kept prisoner by an unknown threat: AZTEC MEXICA! Helm Greycastle and his outsider comrades are here to save the prince—but are recruited by a resistance plotting to overthrow Montezuma. Will Greycastle help save the people of MEXICA…or rescue the dragon prince and flee?
BONUS! HELM GREYCASTLE #1 includes a Latinx one-shot RPG (5E compatible) written by TRISTAN J. TARWATER (Rolled & Told) and art by JEN VAUGHN.
2. The Truth is Out There
The second arc of “The Department of Truth” begins! This was easily my most-anticipated Image series of 2020 and it transitioned nicely into my favorite Image series of 2020, so every issue of it is an absolute must have. I’ve been a big fan of Martin Simmonds for years and it feels like he has really found his stride in “The Department of Truth,” creating a vivid world that makes me incredibly uneasy every month. It helps that James Tynion IV makes me doubt the nature of reality more and more with every page. If you haven’t been checking out this book, do yourself a favor and dive in. Just maybe don’t read it before bedtime.
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #8
WRITER: James Tynion IV
ARTIST / COVER A: Martin Simmonds
COVER B: Bill Sienkiewicz
APRIL 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99Cole Turner thought he joined the right side of the war for the Truth. But now that he’s learning more about Lee Harvey Oswald’s tenure leading the Department, he’s not so sure. The answers Cole seeks are hidden behind a pair of unsolvable riddles: WHO is the Fictional Woman, and WHAT does she want from him? The second arc of the smash-hit THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH begins here!
1. Pieces of Silver
Horror is in. Maybe it’s a response to the world we live in, maybe it’s a response to the massive resurgence in quality horror films, but whatever it is, scary stuff is back in a big way in comics. “The SIlver Coin” is the most I’ve been excited for an Image series since “The Department of Truth” and I have the utmost confidence in the creative team to deliver something wonderfully vile. Michael Walsh understands how to drape figures in a palpable atmosphere, creating images that transcend their source material and pierce your soul. The prompt for “The Silver Coin” is a very loose framework, but that just means that you never know what horrors lie in the shadows. And for me, that makes it all the more intriguing. I’ve been terrified by Jeff Lemire and Ed Brisson’s work in the past, and I’m looking forward to new nightmares from Kelly Thompson and Chip Zdarsky. I’m all in.
THE SILVER COIN #1
WRITER: Chip Zdarksy
ARTIST / COVER A: Michael Walsh
COVER B: Tula Lotay
COVER C: Maria Nguyen
APRIL 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99Eisner-winning artist MICHAEL WALSH (Star Wars, Black Hammer/Justice League) teams with an all-star lineup of collaborators—CHIP ZDARSKY (STILLWATER), KELLY THOMPSON (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), ED BRISSON (Old Man Logan), and JEFF LEMIRE (GIDEON FALLS)—on a new horror anthology miniseries for mature readers. Each issue will tell a tale of terror in a shared supernatural world. The story starts in 1978 with a failing rock band whose fortune suddenly changes when they find the mysterious Silver Coin. Little do they know that fame comes with a cost, and a curse is always hungry.
For the full solicits, check out The Beat.
