I’m excited for June! I tried to look at a good mix of running and debuting series, and there are lots of both. But the big headline are the creators behind the issues. We’ll be seeing new work from some of the most senior guys at Image, the highlight of which is doubtlessly Robert Kirkman’s foray into science fiction. Here’s that one, and nine other hotly anticipated issues coming this June.
As always, you can go looking for the solicits on the Image Comics website.
10. Fantasy Gig Economy
Just from the marketing, I would have thought that “Last Barbarians” was some kind of Conan thing, pulpy and weird and a little gross. And it’s not not those things, but it’s also tongue-in-cheek and really quite funny? It’s less of a straight adventure, and more like a chaotic D&D campaign. And you know what? I think I like that better!
LAST BARBARIANS #5 (OF 5)
Written by Brian Haberlin
Illustrated by Geirrod Van Dyke & Brian Haberlin
Colored by Brian Haberlin
MINISERIES FINALE“THE BEGINNING OF THE END?”
With all the cards now on the table, it’s either life or horrible nasty death…I mean really NASTY…I’ll tell you when NOT to look…really. With an ancient doomsday artifact in motion, the world of Nith is officially screwed! That is, unless Sylv and Shadow-the Last Barbarians-can win the day. The only problem is, they don’t usually do that…
9. Civilized Fantasy Society
On the other hand, the world in “Black Cloak” seems like no fun at all. To live in I mean! Instead of freewheeling with giants and babes, “Black Cloak” seems to have a lot of strife and a big (fantasy) police presence. But this one is not a comedy, this is Kelly Thompson going crazy with worldbuilding and Meredith McClaren spreading whimsy and darkness on every page.
BLACK CLOAK #6
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated and Colored by Meredith McClarenAnyone want to storm the castle? What about if, instead of an army, we just have an elf, a fairy, two Dracona, an ambitious young Taka, a wizard, and a couple motivated revolutionaries? Still wanna do it? GOOD. Then come with us…
8. Dream Over
I know that Gabby and Trudy “hate this place,” but I sort of never want them to leave? Never have I felt more connected to the evil gods of Cabin in the Woods. I just want to watch a horror movie, does that mean on some level I want to see these lovely protagonists tortured? I don’t know who can help me through my existential crisis, but in the meantime “I Hate This Place” has consistently been one of my top 5 current Image ongoings since it debuted.
I HATE THIS PLACE #9
Written by Kyle Starks
Illustrated and Colored by Artyom Topilin & Lee LoughridgeQuestions will be answered as Gabby and Trudy face terrors from their past, present, and future in the penultimate issue of I HATE THIS PLACE!
7. Highway From Hell
Having been a few months since I last read “Nocterra,” I can now report that it stuck with me a little more than I would have guessed. Scott Snyder and Liam Sharp’s demon trucker convoy setting is great, and the two of them are now seasoned comic book veterans. You can feel the ease of the ideas moving from their brains to the page. And despite being smack in the middle of a lot of action, I’ve got a feeling that this one-shot will be a great sampler for the “Nocterra” curious.
NOCTERRA NEMESIS SPEC (ONE-SHOT)
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Liam Sharp
Colored by Tony S. Daniel & Marcelo MaioloAs Sundog Convoy fights to prevent the end of everything, a Ferryman is shown the beautiful, terrifying origin of light and darkness across all of space and time. This special one-shot will lead directly into the stunning conclusion of the “No Brakes” storyline!
6. Double Billing
Two issues in one month? In this economy? Well Charles Soule remains the hardest working writer in comics; these aren’t the only two issues he’s putting out in June. These last two issues are the conclusion to his series with Will Sliney about the dangers of dealing with devils. And we all know those stories get really good at the end when the check is due and everything is on fire.
Continued belowHELL TO PAY #5
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Will Sliney
Colored by Dave JohnsonThe only thing that stands between the death of Sebastian Stone and the Poor Man’s plan to hire the Devil himself using his thousands of cursed hellcoins is Sebastian’s better half, Maia Stone. But Maia will need power beyond anything she’s ever wielded to win this fight. One Faustian bargain…coming right up.
HELL TO PAY #6
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Will Sliney
Colored by Dave JohnsonThe bill has come due at last. The Devil has arrived, ready to collect what he is owed. The first chapter of the Shrouded College cycle comes to a close with an epic battle that sees Maia and Sebastian facing down all of Hell. There is no way out, not with this much on the line.
5. Here Comes the…
OK, the main character is named Sprout. She’s basically got Cassandra Cain’s origin story. Her only way of communicating is through Polaroids (cool! How does that work?) When her doomsday prepping granddaddy bites it, she’s going out in the world, which I am assuming leads to much fish-out-of-water shenanigans. (And yeah, probably murder too).
KLIK KLIK BOOM #1
Written by Doug Wagner
Illustrated and Colored by Douglas Dabbs, Matt WilsonMeet Sprout, a mute assassin who communicates exclusively through polaroid pictures.
Being raised by her doomsday-prepping grandfather in the rolling hills of Idaho, Sprout has never been around other people, watched TV, or seen clothes outside of Army fatigues. Now she’s headed to the big lights of New York City to avenge her grandfather’s murder, but will the city’s mesmerizing glitz and glam help her succeed-or be the death of her?
4. Gonna Need To Borrow Some Ears
I read the first issue of this, it was good. I found it to be all about good writing, great research, even better art. It takes place out in the Roman colonies where the urbanites from the Italian peninsula plunge straight into folk horror in the wilds of Germany. Protagonist Honoria definitely has some secret princess thing going on, and that probably comes with some pagan powers as well. She’s going on that good good arc where someone goes from slave to monarch, and I say it’s worth the read.
DEAD ROMANS #4
Written by Fred Kennedy
Illustrated by Nick MarinkovichRoman forces are withering from another vicious attack, confronting Honoria with the true extent of German brutality. In all this bloodshed, Arminius begins to wonder if his future kingdom will be worth the sacrifice without Honoria by his side.
3. Tunnels of Eurydice
Hailing from modern classic “Chew,” it’s John Layman. And who’s that partnering with him? Jock? No, it’s Jok! Yes, now there are two mononym artists in comics with a one letter difference in their names. Seems unlikely to me too. This series looks set to scratch a weird itch I didn’t know I had, which is stories about people exploring the afterlife. It sounds like they are going to be too busy running and screaming to be proper cartographers, but that just means they’ll have to remember what Jok drew Hell to look like. This ought to be an exciting debut.
IN HELL WE FIGHT #1
Written by John Layman
Illustrated and Colored by JokSERIES PREMIERE
Life in hell ain’t easy. Demons try to torture you for all eternity. Monsters want to eat you. There’s a stunning lack of reliable indoor plumbing. And it’s almost impossible to get ice cream. At least, until today, when three condemned teens and their annoying tagalong demon frenemy embark on a daring scheme to hijack a demon lord’s delivery truck. What happens next will take them on an epic journey across the underworld, an infernal excursion of nonstop excitement, danger, and adventure.Presenting a devilishly fun new series from multiple Eisner-winning writer/letterer JOHN LAYMAN (CHEW, Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum) and Argentinian superstar artist JOK.
2. Take It Sleazy
My gushing enthusiasm for “Dark Ride” has not dwindled. This is probably the best book Image is publishing right now. It’s a huge ensemble piece about a horror-themed amusement park that is also actually haunted! This issue bills itself as one of those “your questions will be answered!” issues, and yeah, I’m excited. But that cover! We haven’t checked in with the murdered mother of the Dante family in a while now, and it seems likely her spirit is still connected to… whatever is summoning the man-eating demonic mascots. If you’re reading this one, than you know. And if you’re not, but you just read that sentence, don’t you want to?
Continued belowDARK RIDE #7
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated and Colored by Andrei Bressan & Adriano LucasSam uncovers more of his family’s dark history, which extends all the way into the beating heart of the park itself.
1. That’s How You Get a Halo
Wow, but I guess I’m a sucker for an exciting #1. I was just wondering how long it’s been since Robert Kirkman came out with something brand new, but whatever, it’s not much longer. The dude who arguably evolved Image into what it is today is no slouch at writing (“Walking Dead!” Heard of it?) and effortless at weaving whole worlds. Well this series looks like Kirkman’s sci-fi magnum opus. He’s done zombies, he’s done superheroes, now he’s going pew-pew in space. My expectations for this one are sky-high, stay tuned to see if “Void Rivals” lives up.
VOID RIVALS #1
Written by Robert Kirkman
Illustrated by Matheus Lopes & Lorenzo De Felici
Colored by Lorenzo De FeliciSERIES PREMIERE
The blockbuster OBLIVION SONG team of ROBERT KIRKMAN & LORENZO DE FELICI debut the biggest new comic book series of 2023 with the launch of AN ALL-NEW SHARED UNIVERSE and a SURPRISE you won’t see coming!War rages around the Sacred Ring, where the last remnants of two worlds have collapsed around a black hole in a never-ending war.
However, when pilot Darak and his rival Solila both crash on a desolate planet, these two enemies must find a way to escape together. But are they alone on this strange planet? And what dark forces await that threaten the entire universe?
