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Soliciting Multiversity: Image’s Top 10 for January 2021

By | October 27th, 2020
Posted in Columns | % Comments

New year, hopefully different from the last. But not for Image. That’s pretty much looking a lot like the end of last year. I mean, we’re all hoping that comics ship every month and that a global catastrophe doesn’t hollow the industry out. But barring that, Image is gonna be publishing the same stuff as usual. There are new issues in series we like. There are old issues in series that have already concluded (now with color!). Sure, there are a couple of exciting #1s, but nothing that’s going to turn the industry upside down. And you know what? Maybe some good, solid consistency is what we want in 2021. Maybe it’s what we need. I could use a little bit of predictability. So Image, I salute you for trying to be a consistent force in a world gone topsy-turvy. But seriously, what’s up with the clowns?

If you feel so inclined, the full solicitations are available to view on the Image comics website.

10. Still walkin’

I took a little trip to my local comic book store (everyone was blessedly wearing masks) and I chatted with the owner about what books have been moving. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but these full color “Walking Dead” reprints are apparently doing pretty good with college kids. I’ve read “Walking Dead,” and I liked it, but I never said to myself, “You know what this series is missing? Is being in color.” It’s cool I guess. But there are a lot of folks who are excited, and I’m sure a lot of people who never read the comic who are taking the chance. And I think that rules! The two January issues mark a special moment in the run of the series. Although “Walking Dead” was co-created by Tony Moore, issue #6 was his last issue. Issue #7 is the switch over to Charlie Adlard, who draws more than a hundred issues and totally defines what the series looks like. So if for some reason you are in the mood for a fantasy about people turning into badasses when a disease brings America to its knees well, Image has you covered.

THE WALKING DEAD DELUXE #6
WRITER: Robert Kirkman
ARTIST / COVER B: Dave McCaig, Tony Moore
JANUARY 06 / 36 pages / FC/ M / $3.99

After last issue’s walker attack on the camp, the survivors are left to bury the dead, and tensions between Rick and Shane build to a life-altering confrontation! This deluxe presentation in STUNNING FULL COLOR also features another installment of Cutting Room Floor and creator commentary.

THE WALKING DEAD DELUXE #7
WRITER: Robert Kirkman
ARTIST: Dave McCaig, Charlie Adlard
JANUARY 20 / 36 pages / FC/ M / $3.99

As winter sets in, Rick and the survivors discover that the walkers all around them are the least of their worries. Plus, the first appearance of Tyreese, and the debut of new series artist, CHARLIE ADLARD! This guy’s got a real future!

9. Root to branch

I remember when Jeff Lemire was a young hotshot, and “Underwater Welder” was a book it was important to have an opinion about. I remember people saying that one of the cool things about it was how it was paced. Back then nearly everything was pitched as an ongoing, and everyone tried to extend their ideas into ongoings. It was what Vertigo published. It was what Image published too. For Lemire to say, “Nope, this is gonna be a discrete thing,” was a big deal, and the book was better for it. “Family Tree” has also benefited from Lemire’s mastery over pacing. He knows how much room his ideas need to breathe, and he gives them just enough space. So I am confident that this finale of “Family Tree” will not only bring the story to a satisfying conclusion, it will end on a strong statement of theme. Lemire, the dude can write a comic book.

FAMILY TREE #12
WRITER: Jeff Lemire
ARTIST / COVER A: Eric Gapstur, Phil Hester, Ryan Cody
JANUARY 13 / 32 pages / FC/ T+ / $3.99

“FOREST,” Conclusion
In the final issue of JEFF LEMIRE and PHIL HESTER’s transformative tale, the Arborists and the Hayes’ battle of flames and flora comes to a close as mankind’s fate is decided.

Continued below

8. Down in the hole

I’d explain this choice to you, but in truth I don’t think there’s much about this book I can explain. Except for the art. It’s like, a sci-fi thing. It’s pretty good. Um… OK look. I don’t think I’m the only person who reads comics this way. Sometimes you find a book that you just let wash over you like the tide. It’s a series of impressions and feelings. You’d fail a 5th grade book report on it, but you’d rock a graduate level analysis of the art. That’s “Tartarus.” Bored of the same old thing? Check it out!

TARTARUS #9
WRITER: Johnnie Christmas
ARTIST / COVER A: Andrew Krahnke
JANUARY 20 / 32 pages / FC/ T / $3.99

“ASH AND OATH”
Hisa’s idyllic new life is imperilled by a sin from her past.

7. Something something why so serious

This one is tricky because of the name. What were we thinking? But I cannot deny the book sounds intriguing. Now, I’ve got to admit I’ve never read “Ice Cream Man,” but I know there are people who really like that series. A new anthology by W. Maxwell Prince then could be cool. And there’s a great lineup of artists- this first issue is Vanessa del Rey. That’s pretty great. But man, clowns? Did we look at the world of comics and say, “You know what we need a lot more of? Is clowns!” SMH. But I’m willing to go there for Ms. Del Rey. Remember that “Scarlet Witch” comic she drew? No? Well pal, you got some reading to do!

HAHA #1
WRITER: W. Maxwell Prince
ARTIST: Vanesa R. Del Rey
COVER A: Nimit Malavia
JANUARY 13 / 32 pages / FC/ / $3.99

ICE CREAM MAN writer W. MAXWELL PRINCE brings his signature style of one-shot storytelling to the world of clowns—and he’s invited SOME OF THE COMIC INDUSTRY’S BEST ARTISTS to join him for the ride.

HAHA is a genre-jumping, throat-lumping look at the sad, scary, hilarious life of those who get paid to play the fool—but these ain’t your typical jokers.

With issues drawn by VANESA DEL REY (REDLANDS), GABRIEL WALTA (Vision), ROGER LANGRIDGE (Thor), and more, HAHA peeks under the big top, over the rainbow, and even inside a balloon to tell a wide-ranging slew of stories about “funny” men and women, proving that some things are so sad you just have to laugh.

6. Order in the court

You know this series. It won all the Eisners. It looks like Ridley Scott directing a Final Fantasy movie. It’s freaky fantasy with fox kids and magic cats and terrifying witches. It’s “Monstress!” And there’s a new arc starting in issue #31. So like, go catch up on “Monstress” and then read this one, and then you will have done the thing.

MONSTRESS #31
WRITER: Marjorie Liu
ARTIST / COVER A: Sana Takeda
JANUARY 27 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99

The start of a new arc! Maika always knew that her decision to involve herself in the battle of Ravenna would have repercussions, and now she begins to pay the price. War isn’t the only thing she has to fear—the political intrigue of the Dusk and Dawn Courts might be far more dangerous.

5. Crazy cat kids

I’m so glad to see this book is catching on as much as it is, because it is a delight. Two young creators, Emma Kubert and Rusty Gladd are making a comic that defies imagination and tone. It’s funny and silly, but also has a real weight to it. Inter-dimensional sorcerers and the inter-dimensional cats they chase through realities. I guess if you hate cats, you won’t dig it, but for everyone else… Most importantly, you are seeing the future of comics created before your eyes. I don’t think we will look back in 30 years and say, “Inkblot was the best comic these two creators ever did.” But I do think we will say that this is where it all began. Their signature style, it started here. Get on board for the future!

Continued below

INKBLOT #5
WRITER / ARTIST / COVER A: Emma Kubert, Rusty Gladd
JANUARY 06 / 24 pages / FC/ T / $3.99

The mysterious cat wanders further backward in time into an ancient jungle. Ten young sorcerers make camp, but the youngest of the group wanders off in search of a cute little cat.

4. Nice house if you can find it

My #1 pick for last month is still exciting to me this month! It’s got a dope and spooky premise, which goes a long way. But more than that, it’s drawn by Caspar Wijngaard, and that dude is metal is hell. Since the first issue isn’t out yet, it’s hard to get a bead on how hard this series is going to rule. But in Wijngaard I trust. When you find someone and you love their art, you keep getting their comics, that’s my philosophy.

HOME SICK PILOTS #2
WRITER: Dan Watters
ARTIST / COVER A: Caspar Wijngaard
JANUARY 13 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99

The Old James House has lost its ghosts. With her new powers, it’s up to Ami to bring them back…whether they want to come home or not. Even when they’re really big ghosts wrapped in metal, with lots of sharp edges and things.

3. Who still wants to live forever?

On the one hand, something feels off about “Stillwater.” That could be taken as a review or a summary. But the mystery series- a small American town where mysteriously, no one can die- sort of has a trouble with focus. The plight of the protagonist doesn’t feel all that urgent and the setting has a dreamlike quality to it. In the hands of a weaker creative team, that might be a negative review. But this is Chip Zdarksy we’re talking about here, and Ramon Perez and Mike Spicer. So it’s not a bad book. Far from it. It’s different. And that is a good thing.

STILLWATER BY ZDARSKY & PÉREZ #5
WRITER: Chip Zdarsky
ARTIST: Ramón K. Pérez, Mike Spicer
COVER A: Ramón K. Pérez
JANUARY 20 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99

While the rest of the world moves on, a group of concerned citizens decides that their town can’t keep its secret forever. Can they convince the Judge that it’s time for a change in Stillwater?

2. My messy friend

In a just world, Sina Grace would write 50 issues of this series and Image would promote the hell out of them. Circumstances beyond anyone’s control turned this in to a miniseries butt let’s be honest, this was never going to be a multi-year epic. Instead, it’s the small version of itself, but not the bad version. There’s not a lot of “Getting It Together” you need to catch up on, so read what little there is because there’s nothing like it. And as mentioned above, being unique from everything else on the stands is a good thing!

GETTING IT TOGETHER #4 (OF 4)
WRITER: Omar Spahi, Sina Grace
ARTIST: Sina Grace, Mx. Struble, Jenny D. Fine
COVER A: Jenny D. Fine
JANUARY 06 / 36 pages / FC/ M / $4.99

Nipslip plays their best show in the midst of breakup deliberations. Jack’s former flame wants to get back together…with a very big string attached. Lauren faces her biggest enemy to date—herself. In this ultra-bigger-sized finale, seismic shifts occur for our favorite group of friends and family, and not everyone ends up staying in the Bay Area!

1. Whatever you want it to be

Better than being simply original- being timely. A lot of comics (Image books specifically) are dabbling in politics, to varying success. The problem is that the situation changes faster than the books can get written. James Tynion IV circumvents that by being smart and specific. The premise- the world rewrites itself based on what people believe. A shady agency tries to manipulate folks into believing productive things. But people are getting… weirder. Believing weirder stuff. And that’s where the story starts, to say much more would ruin the fun.

And thus, “Department of Truth” succeeds because it isn’t trying to prove a fact, but a feeling. It feels like people can make themselves believe crazy stuff about satanists, and hackers, and pizzerias, and medical science, and whether or not the goddamn Earth is flat. Sometimes people profit but sometimes it just seems like… like whatever the tone of this book is. It’s been a while since Image debuted a book this strong out of the gate, but “Department of Truth” is your new must-read ongoing.

Continued below

THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #5
WRITER: James Tynion IV
ARTIST / COVER A: Martin Simmonds
COVER B: Dani, Tamra Bonvillain
JANUARY 27 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99

WHAT is Black Hat? WHO is the mysterious man pulling its strings? WHY is he in Cole Turner’s apartment? The first arc of the smash-hit new series from JAMES TYNION IV (Batman) & MARTIN SIMMONDS (Dying is Easy) comes to a dramatic c


//TAGS | Soliciting Multiversity

Jaina Hill

Jaina is from New York. She currently lives in Ohio. Ask her, and she'll swear she's one of those people who loves both Star Wars and Star Trek equally. Say hi to her on twitter @Rambling_Moose!

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