In the current world of comics, it is rare to get series that go beyond a dozen or so issues. That’s why this month, we’re going to take some time to acknowledge some long-running Image series. Don’t worry, there are still quite a few new things to read from all your favorite writers and artists. Plus there is one graphic novel with such an obviously good idea, you will swear that it’s always been published. It hasn’t though. These are the Image solicitations for June 2022.
As always you can find the full solicitations on the Image comics website.
10. Party like it’s 1992
Image comics is turning 30 this year and so they’re having a bit of a celebration. And it is strikingly clear how different the comics business has become. Maybe pick up one of these #1 reissues including “Cyberforce,” and “Spawn.” I was reading comics in 1992, so I’m keenly aware of how much better Image is today than it was at the start. But I appreciate the start as a weird artifact of a world that’s moved on. Have you actually read the first issue of “Spawn?” I don’t know if it’s good, but it sure is confident of itself.
CYBERFORCE #1 30TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
WRITER: ERIC SILVESTRI
ARTISTS / COVER A: MARC SILVESTRI & JOE CHIODO
COVER B: PRISCILLA PETRAITES
COVER C: BRETT BOOTH
JUNE 8 / 48 PAGES SELF-COVER / FC / M / $4.99Celebrate the 30th anniversary of CYBERFORCE with this deluxe commemorative edition of the first issue. VELOCITY! IMPACT! RIPCLAW! HEATWAVE! BALLISTIC! STRYKER! CYBLADE! Co-written and drawn by Image co-founder and Top Cow founder MARC SILVESTRI.
CYBERFORCE is about a group of cybernetically enhanced resistance fighters on the run from CYBERDATA, the monolithic multinational conglomerate that created them. All the big action and larger-than-life characters you love return in this reprint of CYBERFORCE #1. This limited edition will only be printed once, and a set quantity will be available based on orders, so don’t miss out!
SPAWN #1 30TH ANNIVERSARY SKETCH COVER
WRITER / ARTIST: TODD McFARLANE
COVER: BLANK SKETCH
JUNE 22 / 32 PAGES + COVER / FC / T+ / $2.99To celebrate the 30th anniversary of SPAWN and Image Comics, SPAWN #1 will be reissued for the first time with a blank sketch cover.
9. It’s been a long road
Crazy that Rick Remender has quietly been making huge ongoing series for Image for years. After he left Marvel, the comics critic community kind of quieted down about Remender, but clearly Image likes working with him. “Deadly Class” might be his most successful creator owned series, lasting from 2014 until now. There was even a TV show that nobody talks about anymore! I will admit to having fallen off of “Deadly Class” some time ago, so I can’t rightly say if it is ending on a strong note. But this is a reminder that Rick Remender has been writing an original ongoing for a almost a decade, and that’s a rare feat!
DEADLY CLASS #55
WRITER: RICK REMENDER
ARTISTS: WES CRAIG & LEE LOUGHRIDGE
JUNE 29 / 32 PAGES SELF-COVER / FC / M / $3.99“A FOND FAREWELL,” Part Seven
The best chapter of life. The future we earned. The way it was always going to be.
8. Waiting for the trade
Last story in the arc! You know what that means true believers- time for a new “Saga” trade. Seriously, this has been such a triumphant return for one of comics’ most reliable series. I know so many librarians and comic shop owners who are so delighted that “Saga” is back. I shouldn’t tell you that this is a must-read, you should already know that. Instead I will treat this as a reminder: have you been keeping up with “Saga?” Have you!? Well there’s a full arc and soon will be a new trade! What are you waiting for.
Continued belowSAGA #60
ARTIST / COVER: FIONA STAPLES
WRITER: BRIAN K. VAUGHAN
JUNE 29 / 32 PAGES SELF-COVER / FC / M / $2.99Will the landmark sixtieth issue of SAGA end with triumph or tragedy for Hazel and her family? This may be a “season finale” of SAGA, but the most emotional series in comics is only getting started!
7. The secret masters
I’m a sucker for fun martial arts fantasy and man is “Fire Power” fun. Robert Kirkman knows how to put together a decent genre story, but the real stars of the show are the art team. Chris Samnee is just so tremendous and even if this was a silent comic (which it is not, it’s bouncy and fun) that his artwork is a compelling tale in and of itself. And there is little better in comics than the good works of colorist Matt Wilson, who is so well matched for Samnee’s energetic artwork.
FIRE POWER BY KIRKMAN & SAMNEE #21
WRITER: ROBERT KIRKMAN
ARTISTS / COVER A: CHRIS SAMNEE & MATTHEW WILSON
JUNE 1 / 24 PAGES + COVER / FC / T / $3.99Introducing Master Ping! Owen’s quest to assemble all the old masters is almost complete!
6. Curtain call
Here’s a finale that snuck up on me! “Homesick Pilots” already feels like an old favorite, so I kind of forget it was such a young series. And to be concluded so quickly. I’m trying not to be sad. This is good, the story has arrived so fully formed and confident. If the creators think this is how to avoid overstaying their welcome, I assume this is going to be one hell of a last issue.
HOME SICK PILOTS #15
WRITER: DAN WATTERS
ARTIST / COVER A: CASPAR WIJNGAARD
JUNE 22 / 32 PAGES SELF-COVER / FC / M / $3.99Everything ends. In fire. In truth. In A LOT of house-punching…in the FINAL ISSUE of HOME SICK PILOTS.
5. Destiny of USA
What’s even happening in this story again? When this comic first came out, a wall around America seemed like a real immediate concern. Still, that doesn’t mean that the strange sci-fi world of two of comics’ strangest guys isn’t worth exploring. In this one-shot special, we will finally see an origin of “Undiscovered Country’s” most memorable antagonist. I don’t know that the metaphor will hold together, but I am certain it will be some wild sci-fi.
UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY: DESTINY MAN SPECIAL
WRITERS: SCOTT SNYDER & CHARLES SOULE
ARTISTS: GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI, LEONARDO MARCELLO GRASSI & MATT WILSON
JUNE 15 / 32 PAGES SELF-COVER / FC / M / $3.99The greatest villain of the UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY is the mysterious DESTINY MAN, the dark god of the plains, the conqueror who believes he is destined to rule the New America. Now, in this special issue, dive into the insanity of his past and learn why his ultimate destiny…is to rule it ALL!
4. Off the old block
Look, it doesn’t matter what this solicit says. I just read Chip Zdarksy and Joe Quinones’ “Howard the Duck” and Chip can do no wrong in my eyes. That book was superb, and I’ve been enjoying his writing, which has tackled a wide array of genres. But Chip got started as an artist, and now he is fulfilling all my dreams and cartooning his own series. Do I also want to see what this comic has to say about the comics biz? You bet! But I’m confident it will be funny, sweet, and a great read.
PUBLIC DOMAIN #1
WRITER / ARTIST / COVER: CHIP ZDARSKY
JUNE 29 / 40 PAGES SELF-COVER / FC / M / $3.99Syd Dallas is responsible for pop culture’s greatest hero: THE DOMAIN! But his sons Miles and David have a complicated relationship with both the creation and their creator. Can they convince their dad to fight for their family’s legacy?
This fun and heartfelt series written and illustrated by Eisner winner CHIP ZDARSKY (SEX CRIMINALS, Daredevil) explores a WILD ALTERNATE WORLD where comic book creators aren’t properly acknowledged or compensated for their creations!! Crazy, I know!!
Hi, it’s me, CHIP! I’m writing this solicitation!
3. Looking to bump
There’s also a new Tynion series, wow! This time it’s a miniseries with Gavin Fullerton and Chris O’Halloran with a simple premise: what if the monster in the closet followed you when you moved? I love Tynion’s monster stuff, and I love the idea of him putting out miniseries to capture every weird idea that comes to his insane mind.
Continued belowTHE CLOSET #1 (OF 3) – GEM OF THE MONTH
WRITER: JAMES TYNION IV
ARTISTS: GAVIN FULLERTON & CHRIS O’HALLORAN
JUNE 1 / 32 PAGES SELF-COVER / FC / M / $3.99A tale of existential familial horror by JAMES TYNION IV (THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH, RAZORBLADES) and GAVIN FULLERTON (BOG BODIES, Bags). Thom is moving cross-country with his family and dragging the past along with them. His son, Jamie, is seeing monsters in the bedroom closet and will not let them go.
2. Outta nowhere!
By far the most personally enticing book to me: I have yet to dislike anything by Daniel Warren Johnson. His comics are funny and sad and sweet in a combination that feels just right to me. I even met the guy at a con once, where he mostly extolled the virtues of New Japan Pro Wrestling as he drew a portrait of one of his favorite NJPW heroes. Well now we finally get the insane wrestling comic of my dreams, and it’s coming from a modern master.
1. Darlin’
The very idea of this book is so obvious, I’m speechless. Kids love “The Walking Dead.” I can’t tell you why it’s true, but every teacher, librarian, and camp counselor know that this zombie series has taken up an outsized presence in America’s youth. Well, here is the most sensible comic idea Image has ever had: a “Walking Dead” graphic novel for kids. Not only that, but it stars Clementine, the beloved hero of the Telltale Games Walking Dead series. Telltale built their studio on the success of Clementine until mismanagement and bad luck tanked the studio. But the world still wanted the story of everyone’s favorite pint sized zombie survivor. But it’s important to entrust such an important book to someone who can shine with it. And this book will be written and drawn by indie darling Tillie Walden, in one of her rare forays into licensed work. A lot of Image books this month look fun. “Clementine” looks like it might be huge.
CLEMENTINE, BOOK ONE OGN TP
WRITER / ARTIST / COVER: TILLIE WALDEN
JUNE 22 / 256 PAGES / BW / T+ / $14.99Powerhouse creator TILLIE WALDEN takes on the world of ROBERT KIRKMAN’s THE WALKING DEAD in the most anticipated YA graphic novel of 2022.
The trilogy marks the graphic novel debut of Clementine, star of the massively successful Telltale Games video game.
In Book One, Clementine discovers new allies, new rivals, and new love. But as the group tries to build a walker-free settlement in an abandoned ski resort, they soon discover that the biggest threat to their survival…is each other.
