It’s that time again, boys and girls, when we walk along the shadows of the night in order to find the light at the end of the tunnel: the latest solicited releases from Image Comics, current crowned champion of the comic universe.
Join me as I deliver to you that which I believe to be the ten best picks of the month, with images and solicitations and light commentary for you to whet your appetite for the coming months. And, speaking of October, isn’t that when Multiversity and Image teamed up for an awesome NYCC party? Wonder if they’ll do that again? (Hint: It’s the opposite of no.)
For the full list, there’s always CBR. The R is for Resource for a reason.
10. Five Ghosts Gets Massive
I predicted it in this column in the past and confirmed it at Image Expo, but new excellent series that originally debuted completely independently at NYCC 2012 is now an ongoing at Image. Congrats, Frank and Chris! Ongoing well deserved!
To kick it off? A double-sized issue illustrated by “The Massive’s” Garry Brown! Oh, it’s too good to be true. But it is true. And you should pre-order it and read it like the good little truth seeker that you are.
FIVE GHOSTS #6
story FRANK J. BARBIERE
art / cover GARRY BROWN
OCTOBER 30
40 PAGES / FC / T+
$3.50
NOW AN ONGOING SERIES!
Fabian travels to Japan to aid an old ally in the search for a mythical weapon: the legendary sword known as MASAMUNE!
A special stand-alone tale featuring artist GARRY BROWN (The Massive, Mass Effect)!
9. Now is the Time to Start Reading “Savage Dragon”
True story: I have never read a single issue of “Savage Dragon.” That’s crazy, right? It’s only, like, one of the founding Image Comics comics. Yet, despite owning issues of the series, I’ve never actually read one. That’s probably even more crazy, I suppose.
Well, now apparently is the time to hop in, as Image’s second longest running series “Savage Dragon” is hitting a relaunch point of sorts. It’s not a new #1 or anything like that, but October’s issue of the series bills itself as the “ultimate jumping on point” as Malcolm Dragon takes over as the lead Savage Dragon from his father. It’s like all that legacy crap DC and Marvel Comics hint at throughout their runs but always pull away from at the last minute because the legacy won’t sell movies and toys well enough.
Either way, it’ll be interesting to see if this is as new reader friendly as the solicit reports it to be, especially with the 200th issue right around the corner. Definitely a time to get cozy with the book if you’ve never been before.
SAVAGE DRAGON #193
story / art / cover ERIK LARSEN
OCTOBER 23
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$3.99
A NEW BEGINNING!
It’s the ultimate jumping on point for new readers and a bold new beginning as Malcolm Dragon takes over the title role from his famous father.
Malcolm Dragon is not your typical teenager. He lives in an apartment by himself in downtown Chicago, he’s a junior who’s just transferred to a new high school, and he’s trying his best to fill the shoes of his father, the Savage Dragon, fighting the forces of evil in the Windy City! New dangers! New adventures!
Get in on the ground level of a whole new SAVAGE DRAGON!
8. Anthology Alert #1
Are you like me and unable to attend Thought Bubble in Leeds? Does that bug you as much as it does me? Because, honestly now, it bugs me; I wish I could go. It always sounds like a lot of fun.
Well, for those of you like me who are unable to attend, you can still take home a little piece of Thought Bubble with this anthology, the third (if I’m not mistaken) of its kind released by Image Comics and featuring some excellent artists and writers doing what they do best. This particular issues features brothers Ba and Moon as well as regular Multiversity favorites like Graham, Perez, Albuquerque, Doyle and more. Definitely not a thing to miss, should you so think that it were a thing that potentially could be missable. It is rather not.
Continued belowTHOUGHT BUBBLE ANTHOLOGY 2013
story FABIO MOON, GABRIEL BA, RICHARD STARKINGS, JEFFREY BROWN, BRANDON GRAHAM, TOM HUMBERSTONE, MARC ELLERBY, TAMSIN ISLES, CLARK BURSCOUGH
art ADI GRANOV, RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE, RAMON PEREZ, BOO COOK, RUFUS DAYGLO, BRANDON GRAHAM, MING DOYLE, ADAM CALDWELL
cover ALICE DUKE
OCTOBER 23
32 PAGES / FC / T+
TABLOID FORMAT
$3.99
A collection of new short stories by some of the best in the business, including the first ever team-up of Elephantmen and Judge Dredd! Plus many more names to be announced. This anthology is part of the United Kingdom’s Thought Bubble Festival which takes place in Leeds, Northern England from November 17-24. All profits from this comic go to Barnardo’s, one of the largest children’s charities in the UK.
7. Anthology Alert #2
We’re not done with the anthologies! No sir! In fact, dare I say this one is even better.
In benefit to the Comic Book Liberty Defense Fund, their annual issue of comics geniuses (geniusi?) have been corralled together by Scott Allie, Dark Horse’s Editor-in-Chief and unequivocal winner of Best Hair in Comics. The book features new “Hoax Hunters,” a Pussy Riot comic and more from such favorites Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman, Emi Lennox, Joe Eisma and more.
And it all goes to a good cause. There’s no reason not to buy it ever every year. There’s a special room for it in your collection and you just know it.
CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL 2013
STORY: Tim Seeley, Richard Corben, Corinna Bechko, Gabriel Hardman, Paul Tobin, Josh Williamson, Steve Seeley, Mike Moreci, Leah Sottile
ART: Richard Corben, Gabriel Hardman, Joe Eisma, Andy Kuhn, Ron Chan, Dennis Culver, Juan Ferreyra, Emi Lennox
COVER A: David Marquez
COVER B: Gabriel Ba
COVER C: Richard Corben
OCTOBER TBD
48 PAGES / FC / M
$4.99
A COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND BENEFIT BOOK!
“TALES OF BLOOD & COURAGE!”
CBLDF LIBERTY ANNUAL returns with Dark Horse editor-in-chief SCOTT ALLIE pulling together an all-star roster of writers and artists to battle censorship with 48 PAGES OF ALL-NEW stories! Tim Seeley brings Hack/Slash back for what might be the most bizarre tale in the series, and legendary creator Richard Corben tells the story of an underground cartoonist bringing back his most famous (and well-endowed) hero.
Everyone has a story to tell, but what happens when a story gets taken away from its creator? LIBERTY ANNUAL 2013 looks at the creative costs of censorship, either through the sort of outside interference the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has fought for 27 years, or through more private forms. The Hoax Hunters battle a cable news program for the life of sasquatch, a young punk rock journalist examines Pussy Riot, and Masks and Mobsters writer Josh Williamson answers the question, “What If Wertham Were Right?”
All proceeds from this book benefit the important First Amendment work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, who’ve been fighting censorship in comics for over 25 years!
6. SO MUCH WALKING DEAD, HOLY SHIT
Well. Look at that, then. In October this year it will have been a decade since Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore launched this staple series. That’s crazy, isn’t it? I can remember reading “Walking Dead” for the first time in the back of a car during a long car trip, sharing the book with others and pointing out, “Dude, look at this.” We were all so blown away by this book that got zombies right, that didn’t over-play its hand or delve into any number of too ridiculous scenarios. No, here was a Romero-designed book for Romero-fans like us, and it was just smashing.
And it has now been ten years. That’s incredible. That’s pretty unbelievable.
So what is Image doing? A MILLION BILLION ZILLION “WALKING DEADS” OMG
First up, you’ve got the 115th issue of the series with 12 covers, one of which is regular, one of which is blank and ten of which connect to tell a mural story of what has happened in “the Walking Dead’s” first decade. On top of that, you get the first issue of the series remastered in color by The Dave Stewart! AND a Tyreese special for those of you who didn’t pick up the FCBD comic featuring his early days.
Continued belowTHE WALKING DEAD #115
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN
covers CHARLIE ADLARD & DAVE STEWART
ALL-OUT WAR BEGINS!
The biggest storyline in WALKING DEAD history – just in time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the series! It’s Rick versus Negan with a little help from everyone else!
This issue ships with 12 COVERS!
cover A: standard cover
covers B-K: 10 connecting covers celebrating 10 years of THE WALKING DEAD!
cover L: blank coverTHE WALKING DEAD #1 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art / cover TONY MOORE & DAVE STEWART
OCTOBER 2
48 PAGES / FC / M
$5.99
The historic first issue of THE WALKING DEAD presented for the first time in FULL COLOR by colorist extraordinaire DAVE STEWART! Along with the original covers and variants done for this issue throughout the years and tons of other bonus material.THE WALKING DEAD TYREESE SPECIAL
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN
cover CHARLIE ADLARD & DAVE STEWART
OCTOBER 23
32 PAGES / BW / M
$2.99
Just in time for the premiere of Season Four of the TV show! Tyreese, a character prominently featured in the season, gets a spotlight here. The special issue reprints his first appearance from THE WALKING DEAD #7 as well as a new origin story, first printed in THE WALKING DEAD: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY SPECIAL.
Not only that, but you’re going to get a hardcover art book of all Charlie Adlard, the man who has driven over a hundred issues of this damn zombie book, designed by Tim Daniel (whose done most of “the Walking Dead” spin-off books, like the Survival Guides for instance) and with an introduction by Jonathan Ross.
THE ART OF CHARLIE ADLARD HC
art / cover CHARLIE ADLARD
OCTOBER 16
192 PAGES / FC/ M
$39.99
Comics superstar CHARLIE ADLARD has defined the look of the modern day horror comic with his work on THE WALKING DEAD. Now this oversized art book delves into the full history of Charlie’s amazing career, including an unprecedented look at the making of his 100th issue of THE WALKING DEAD. Introduction by JONATHAN ROSS, as well as commentary by THE WALKING DEAD creator ROBERT KIRKMAN, SFX guru GREG NICOTERO and more!
And don’t forget the t-shirts. You’re going to want t-shirts!
THE WALKING DEAD “SURVIVORS” T-SHIRT
Show your allegiance for Rick’s faction with this t-shirt.
$19.99 S-XL
$22.99 XXLTHE WALKING DEAD “HILLTOP” T-SHIRT
Show your allegiance for Jesus’s faction with this t-shirt.
$19.99 S-XL
$22.99 XXLTHE WALKING DEAD “SAVIORS” T-SHIRT
Show your allegiance for Negan’s faction with this t-shirt.
$19.99 S-XL
$22.99 XXLTHE WALKING DEAD “KINGDOM” T-SHIRT
Show your allegiance for Ezekiel’s faction with this t-shirt.
$19.99 S-XL
$22.99 XXL
It’s been ten years and Image, Skybound, Kirkman, Adlard et al are celebrating in style. Feel free to join them.
5. Not to be Found in Your Local Supermarket Paperback Collection
It has not been ten years since “Saga” launched, but it has been too long since I’ve read a new issue of it (at time of this writing, anyway). This cover makes me excited for what is to come, though, assuredly — not just because it’s oh so sexy and not just because it’s oh so funny, but because I get the reference.
You do too, right? You don’t? Oh.
Well. The solicit says “everything starts coming together” and the cover is an homage to romance style novels found in your local supermarket, but what’s more important is that Marko and Alana met because he was a prisoner and she was reading a romance novel with a similar cover/premise to the entire story of “Saga,” the author of which they were confirmed to have met in the last issue.
SO, YOU SEE, IT IS ALL COMING TOGETHER, YES? My prediction: the author can see the future, and wrote the book about them. What’s yours?
Continued belowSAGA #15
story BRIAN K VAUGHAN
art / cover FIONA STAPLES
OCTOBER 16
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99
Everything starts coming together.
4. Rocket Girl Rockets Into Image
Launched originally on Kickstarter, Montclare and Reeder’s second (I think) collaboration after “Halloween Eve” once again finds a home outside of Kickstarter and at Image with this brand new ongoing. And, before you even read what its about, let me just say: buy it. Don’t ask questions. Just buy it. “Halloween Eve” was great, Reeder’s art is amazing and Rocket Girl is a good title for a book set in 1986. Just buy it.
Ok, go on, read the solicit and tell me I’m wrong. You can’t. You know you can’t. Just buy it.
ROCKET GIRL #1
story BRANDON MONTCLARE
art / cover AMY REEDER
OCTOBER 9
32 PAGES / FC / T
$3.50
A teenage cop from a high-tech future is sent back in time to 1986 New York City. Dayoung Johansson is investigating the Quintum Mechanics megacorporation for crimes against time. As she pieces together the clues, she discovers the “future” she calls home – an alternate reality version of 2013 – shouldn’t exist at all!
Blast off with the new ongoing series by BRANDON MONTCLARE (Halloween Eve) and Eisner Award nominee AMY REEDER (Batwoman, Madame Xanadu).
3. Spot 3 For Three
I couldn’t have planned it better, right? It’s almost as if I did it… on purpose!
But, jokes aside: “Three” is definitely a book to be looking out for in October. Featuring the works of Kieron Gillen, who has recently showed us he is so much more capable of just clever books with humorous interiors (I wrote, like, a lot about it) teams up for another historical series, this time with the ever excellent Ryan Kelly and Jordie Bellaire, two individuals whose names on the covers of comics usually signify instant buys. The book even gives credit to its historical consultant Professor Stephen Hodkinson, so if you like history and you like Sparta and you saw 300 then “Three” is the next book you need to read.
THREE #1
story KIERON GILLEN
art / cover RYAN KELLY & JORDIE BELLAIRE
historical consultant PROF. STEPHEN HODKINSON
OCTOBER 9
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99
When a member of the Spartan ruling class visits an isolated homestead of Helot workers, a brutal massacre is only the beginning. KIERON GILLEN (PHONOGRAM, Über, Iron Man), RYAN KELLY (Saucer County, Local) and JORDIE BELLAIRE (THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS, NOWHERE MEN) unite to tell the heroic story of three slaves and their desperate attempt to escape 300 of the finest warriors who’ve ever lived.
2. The Next Captain America — Er, Sort Of
When “Captain America” #1 launched with the creative team of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting, I admittedly rolled my eyes. “Pffffft,” I said in my punk rock t-shirt with my bag with the patches self-stitched on while listening to my CD walkman. “Captain America? More like Captain Corporate Sponsorship and Captain War Mongerer.” I was so cool as a punker in a private high school, let me tell you.
However, when Cap got shot and it made the news, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t buy the issue. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t backtrack and read what came before. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t blown away, that this book didn’t become one of my favorite books on the market and that I completely changed every thought I ever had about how interesting and entertaining Captain America could be.
So, that’s what Brubaker and Epting did with a character they didn’t own.
Imagine what they’re going to do with a character that they do?
I’ll be waiting right here while you rush to your store to pre-order. Take your time.
Continued belowVELVET #1 – GEM OF THE MONTH
story ED BRUBAKER
art STEVE EPTING & BETTIE BREITWEISER
cover STEVE EPTING
OCTOBER 2
32 PAGES / FC / M
$3.50
ED BRUBAKER and STEVE EPTING redefined Captain America with the “Winter Soldier” saga… and everything they’ve done so far has been leading to VELVET!
When the world’s best secret agent is killed, Velvet Templeton, the Personal Assistant to the Director of the Agency, is drawn off her desk and back into the field for the first time in nearly 20 years… and is immediately caught in a web of mystery, murder and high-octane action.
Sexy and provocative, with a dark twist on the spy genre, this EXTRA-LENGTH first issue by two of the industry’s best-selling creators will knock you out!
1. The Single Most Anticipated Book of the Year
Finally. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this forever!
Announced at last year’s San Diego Comic Con, “Pretty Deadly” by Deconnick and Rios is finally coming out, featuring colors by Jordie Bellaire (there she is again! I TOLD YOU!). It stars a reaper named Ginny and is described as “Sandman” meets “Preacher.”
Honestly, I don’t have to say anymore than that. You know you want it. I will refrain from gushing too much, if only because in a month from now we’ll have a big ol’ piece on “Pretty Deadly” from Emma and Kelly and me. So, there’s that to be excited about. Keep your peepers popped for that.
And pre-order and buy this. You won’t regret it.
PRETTY DEADLY #1 – GEM OF THE MONTH
story KELLY SUE DECONNICK
art EMMA RÍOS & JORDIE BELLAIRE
cover EMMA RÍOS
OCTOBER 23
32 PAGES / FC / M
$3.50
KELLY SUE DECONNICK (Avengers Assemble, Captain Marvel) & EMMA RÍOS (Dr. Strange, Osborn) reunite to bring you an all-new ongoing series that marries the magical realism of Sandman with the western brutality of Preacher. Death’s daughter rides the wind on a horse made of smoke and her face bears the skull marks of her father. Her tale of retribution is as beautifully lush as it is unflinchingly savage.
