2021 has been a wild ride. As the calendar flies by and we collectively reflect on the year that was, it’s natural to think of some of the tremendous comics that have come out. Image continues to produce some of the best books on the stands, pushing the envelope while providing creators a rare platform to explore their own unique worlds. The last month of the year ends on a high note for the publisher, with a mix of exciting debuts and returning favorites. So, with honorable mentions to “King of Spies,” “Deadly Class,” and “The Good Asian,” let’s say goodbye to another year and check out what’s coming from Image Comics in December 2021.
10. Lady in Waiting
I’ll never forget how I was first introduced to the art of Joe Benitez. I was in high school and my friend started freaking out about the new artist for DC’s “Titans.” I wasn’t caught up on the series, so I quickly got my hands on the book and was blown away by what I saw. Hyper-stylized bodies with incredible detail filled up the page, with raw energy and crisp lines. Unfortunately, I found it hard to keep up with Benitez once he started working on “Lady Mechanika,” since my local shop didn’t carry it. Now, Benitez has worked out a deal with Image Comics to distribute his older material and start a new story with “Lady Mechanika: The Monster of the Ministry of Hell” #1. The series is an entry point to the world of “Lady Mechanika” and I can’t wait to make up for lost time.
LADY MECHANIKA: THE MONSTER OF THE MINISTRY OF HELL #1 (OF 4)
ARTIST / COVER C: Joe Benitez
COVER A: Beth Sotelo, Joe Benitez
DECEMBER 08 / 32 pages / FC/ T+ / $3.99
In a Victorian asylum full of grotesque inmates, sadistic guards, and a fanatical doctor, a young lady wakes to find her arms and legs have been replaced with mechanical limbs. But who among this gruesome menagerie is the true monster of the Ministry of Hell? The origins of the notorious adventuress known as Lady Mechanika!
9. Hot as Hell
Who would have guessed twelve months ago that 2021 would be the biggest year in “Spawn” history? After the outrageous success of “Spawn’s Universe,” “King Spawn,” and “Gunslinger Spawn,” an eclectic cast of Todd McFarlane’s characters comes together in “The Scorched.” I’ve always enjoyed team books and the series looks like it’ll have a rotating cast, which sounds like an exciting way to explore new ideas. I’ve been a big fan of Sean Lewis in the past (If you haven’t read “Bliss,” go check it out!) and I’m excited to have Paulo Siqueira on a regular series again. Throw in Stephen Segovia and it sounds like a must-read to me.
THE SCORCHED #1
ARTIST: Sean Lewis
COVER A: Paulo Siqueira, Stephen Segovia
COVER B: Greg Capullo
COVER C: Arthur Adams
COVER D: Marc Silvestri
COVER E: Todd McFarlane
DECEMBER 15 / 48 pages / FC/ / $5.99
The first ALL-NEW issue of TODD McFARLANE’s superhero team book!
There’s a threat so big that no single hero can stop it, and the formation of this new supergroup is the only thing standing in its way. Members will include SPAWN, REDEEMER, GUNSLINGER, MEDIEVAL SPAWN, and SHE-SPAWN, with many more heroes waiting in the wings!
Join the battle in this FIRST ISSUE extravaganza as the forces of Heaven, Hell, and Earth collide!
8. Made in Italy
“Leone: Notes on a Life” OGN tells the story of an Italian immigrant who comes to the United States to pursuit a better life through music. The book is by the team of Carmine Di Giandomenico and Francesco Colafela, and hints at a mysterious moment where Leone had to abandons his dreams to save lives. Carmine Di Giandomenico is one of my favorite artists in comics, so I’ll check out anything with him, but I’ll admit that this premise sounds particularly enticing. It isn’t every day that we get a non-linear graphic novel about music. Consider me intrigued.
Continued belowLEONE: NOTES ON A LIFE OGN
DECEMBER 15 / 160 pages / FC/ / $16.99
Acclaimed creator CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO (The Flash, Daredevil: Battlin’ Jack Murdock) and rising star FRANCESCO COLAFELA present the true story of LEONE, an Italian man who immigrated to the U.S. to find fortune, freedom, and jazz and left it again to save lives. From the stage of his last concert in New York City, through the sound of his trumpet, Leone recounts his past and his future in an emotional, nonlinear memoir made of music and memories.
Step into the shoes of an American immigrant in this timely tale about spreading love and strength wherever you go and never forgetting where you came from.
7. Hedge Your Bets
Once again, “The Silver Coin” has caught my eye by pairing the beautiful artwork of Michael Walsh with one of the most vibrant voices in comics. Ram V has been on the rise for the last few years and I absolutely loved his recent series “The Many Deaths of Laila Starr” over at BOOM! Studios. Seeing V and Walsh bring the deadly Silver Coin to a casino sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun, even if I’m almost certain that the lead character will disagree by the end of the issue. “The Silver Coin” continues to be an accessible delight and I’m always up for more.
THE SILVER COIN #7
ARTIST: Ram V
COVER A: Michael Walsh
DECEMBER 01 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99
From creator MICHAEL WALSH and RAM V (Swamp Thing, BLUE IN GREEN) hit horror anthology THE SILVER COIN heads to the land of jackpots and washouts.
For the first time in his life, Lou Prado is on a winning streak. Maybe it’s the new casino or maybe it’s the lucky coin in his pocket, but all of a sudden, Loser Lou’s bets can’t go wrong. He’s about to make the gamble of his life—and the stakes are deadly high atop the Tzompanco.
6. Take Two
At the time of this writing, I don’t know much about “What’s the Furthest Place From Here?” The series takes place in a post-Apocalyptic wasteland where gangs of children live in ruin. A young girl named Sid goes missing and her family must go find her, no matter the cost. That’s about all I’ve got. But after the outrageous quality of Rosenberg & Boss’s book “4 Kids Walk into a Bank,” I am so confident in this series that I bought a new record player specifically so I could justify buying the promotional vinyl for “What’s the Furthest Place From Here?” At least if this book let’s me down, I can get some cool music out of it.
WHAT’S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE? #2
ARTIST: Matthew Rosenberg
COVER A: Tyler Boss
COVER B: Declan Shalvey
COVER D: Courtney Menard
COVER E: Jonathan Hickman
DECEMBER 22 / 48 pages / FC/ T+ / $3.99
DOUBLE-SIZED SECOND ISSUE!
With Sid missing, her family must leave the comfort of their home in a desperate search for her. But the world beyond their walls is not a friendly place. Ask the wrong questions, and you may find out the hard way that you can never go home.
5. Pinnacle
Another month, another exciting issue of “Fire Power” by Robert Kirkman and Chris Samnee. Every month, “Fire Power” is a dazzling read that satisfies my martial arts fix. Samnee’s expressive art has never been better and it’s clear that there is a lot of thought put into this series. Issue #18 advertises a major turning point for “Fire Power,” which everybody on the planet seemingly in danger. Given Kirkman’s penchant for absolutely obliterating status quos and torturing his lead characters, I’m scared for Owen, Wei Lun, and the rest of the cast.
Continued belowFIRE POWER BY KIRKMAN & SAMNEE #18
ARTIST: Robert Kirkman
COVER A: Matthew Wilson, Chris Samnee
DECEMBER 01 / 24 pages / FC/ T / $3.99
The unthinkable has happened. The world has changed…for the Johnson family, for the Temple of the Flaming Fist, for the Scorched Earth Clan, for everyone on Earth. This will be a major turning point for the series. You have been warned.
4. Nervous Tick
As “Time Before Time” marches on, Tatsuo and Nadia can’t seem to catch a break. Perpetually on the run from the Syndicate, the duo are dealt a heavy blow when they decide to track down Nadia’s family. “Time Before Time” has been one of my favorite books of the year. Shalvey, McConville, and Palmer’s crazy cross-time crime saga is remarkably straightforward and it is one of the most interesting time-travel stories that I’ve read in a long while. If you haven’t read it already, there’s no time like the present to check it out.
TIME BEFORE TIME #8
ARTIST: Rory McConville, Declan Shalvey
COVER A: Joe Palmer
COVER B: Matias Bergara
DECEMBER 15 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99
Tatsuo and Nadia grapple with shocking news about Nadia’s family. Elsewhere, Marston begins to rebuild the 2141 branch of the Syndicate and contends with an old rival.
3. Thirsty for More
I’ll admit it – I didn’t think I’d like “A Righteous Thirst of Vengeance” as much as I did. The action-thriller stars Sonny, a man who found himself at the wrong place at the wrong time. Sonny is on a quest to stop a string of murders and the third issue of the series sees him racing to save a young child. André Lima Araújo is delivering the best artwork of his career and the incredible colors by Chris O’Halloran further enhance the book’s aesthetic. Beyond that, Remender’s methodical pacing makes the bloody violence feel incredibly foreboding whenever it pops up. The entire creative team is in top form for this book and I hope other readers enjoy it as much as I have.
A RIGHTEOUS THIRST FOR VENGEANCE #3
ARTIST: Rick Remender
COVER A: André Lima Araújo
DECEMBER 15 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99
Sonny’s attempt to be a hero leaves him beaten and bloody, but he manages to save Mayor Oak’s next victim, Neva. Little does Sonny know, she was only half of the equation. Now, Sonny and Neva must return to the apartment where she was almost killed in order to save her son.
2. Wings of Change
“The Department of Truth” is so good and James Tynion IV has experienced so much success through his creator-owned work that he left Batman, the highest-selling comic at DC. If that doesn’t assure the quality of this book for you, I don’t know what will. “The Department of Truth” continues to be one of the most creative and challenging comics published by Image. Issue #15 sees Tynion joined by “Razorblades: The Horror Magazine” artist David Romero as the two tackle the true origin of Mothman. Every single thing about this book is incredible and it is a highlight every month.
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #15
ARTIST: James Tynion IV
DECEMBER 29 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99
Back in 1967, the Department of Truth went out to West Virginia and tried to create a tulpa of its own. Forty-six people died in the aftermath. Fan-favorite illustrator DAVID ROMERO (Razorblades: The Horror Magazine) joins Eisner Award-winning writer JAMES TYNION IV to reveal the true origin…of Mothman.
1. Dog Day Afternoon
After the smashing critical success of “Stray Dogs,” Tony Fleecs and Trish Forstner are back for another tale (Or is that tail?) in “Stray Dogs: Dog Days.” This two-issue mini-series builds on the world of the original “Stray Dogs” with all-new stories about the different dogs featured in the series. I really enjoyed “Stray Dogs” and I’m happy to see that it is being revisited with a fun twist. Plus, the series continues to pay tribute to classic horror films with an awesome cover homage to Creepshow. I’ll take one ticket please!
STRAY DOGS: DOG DAYS #1 (OF 2)
ARTIST: Tony Fleecs
COVER A: Trish Forstner
COVER B: Trish Forstner, Tony Fleecs
DECEMBER 29 / 48 pages / FC/ / $4.99
A series of vicious short stories howling straight out of the pages of STRAY DOGS, 2021’s surprise cartoon/horror smash hit! In DOG DAYS, each stray will get their moment to shine—questions will be answered, mysteries will be solved, and old wounds will be torn open. Starting this December…every dog has its day.
