We’ve taken a look at Dark Horse, we’ve taken a look at DC and now it’s time to look at what Image has in store for you in June of 2013. Are you ready? Because I’m not quite sure you are.
For the full solicits from Image Comics, click here.
The Only New #1, and the Only One You Need
One of the biggest things folk like myself do is watch Image solicits like a hawk to see what new books they’ll solicit. After all, month after month they repeatedly debut some of the most anticipated comics on the market.
Well, June brings only one book, but that’s OK because it’s one of the most highly anticipated new #1’s of the year: Greg Rucka and Michael Lark’s “Lazarus” #1. From one of the best creative teams around, seen in “Gotham Central” and “The Punisher,” this dystopian book stars new feminine hero Forever Carlyle in what is sure to be one of the best new books of the year. How do I get away with such bold statements? Well, one, it’s Greg Rucka and Michael Lark, and two, I’ve read a preview — and so can you! Read a preview for “Lazarus” #1 right here and tell me you don’t want to read it right now yourself.
Here’s the solicit:
story GREG RUCKA
art/cover MICHAEL LARK
JUNE 26
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99
“FAMILY,” Part One
In a dystopian near-future, government is a quaint concept, resources are coveted, and possession is 100% of the law. A handful of Families rule, jealously guarding what they have and exploiting the Waste who struggle to survive in their domains. Forever Carlyle defends her family’s holdings through deception and force as their protector, their Lazarus. Shot dead defending the family home, Forever’s day goes downhill from there…
Don’t miss this book for any reason.
Hoax Hunters Expands
In June, Michael Moreci, Steve Seeley and Axel Medellin’s ongoing chronicles of a few good videographers/world protectors expands with “Case Files,” an annual issue featuring other people taking their stab at short 4-page stories in the “Hoax Hunters world (like ‘Tavern Tales’ in “Skullkickers.”) It’s going to feature an all-star line-up from folks like Nick Pitarra, Tim Daniel, Ron Salas, Erik Burnham and more, with a cover by Mike Norton to boot!
Oh, and I hear at least one of those stories is going to have some pretty OK lettering. Or something. You know. Cough.
Peter Panzerfaust Launches its Third Arc
After repeated smash successes, “Peter Panzerfaust” returns in June for it’s third arc, ‘Cry of the Wolf.’ This time, the Lost Boys will be joining with the Braves while Felix narrates, and it promises to be one of the darker chapters of the story.
Keep it tuned to Multiversity for an interview with Wiebe all about the new arc quite soon. In the meantime, enjoy the Tyler Jenkins above and the Rob Guillory variant cover below.
Dark Skullkickers Dark Wins the Award for Funniest Cover of June 2013
We already covered this a bit back when it was first announced last week, but the “Snowbirds Don’t Fly” parody cover is perhaps the best of the bunch — and this whole incentive with the reboot-itis has been hilarious top begin with. Still, if you didn’t love their sense of humor, you should now.
Some Can’t-Miss Trades
June is going to provide some really great collections from Image, a few of which I’d like to highlight for you here.
First is the collected edition of Ales Kot, Morgan Jeske, Sloane Leong and Ed Brisson’s “Change”:
Continued belowstory ALES KOT
art/cover MORGAN JESKE, SLOANE LEONG & JORDIE BELLAIRE
JUNE 26
128 PAGES / FC / M
$14.99
Dear Los Angeles: meet apocalypse. You have one day left. Unless, of course, someone decides to save you.
Possible saviors include: a foul-mouthed struggling screenwriter who moonlights as a car thief, an obscenely wealthy rapper, a dying cosmonaut on his way back to Earth and one very deranged little boy.
Good luck.
Next up is the first new collection of “A Distant Soil,” Colleen Doran’s magnum opus fantasy epic that’s just come back to comics featuring a remastered/definitive version of the material (so don’t you dare miss this):
story / art / cover COLLEEN DORAN
JUNE 5
240 PAGES / BW / T
$16.99
The first new edition of the out of print A DISTANT SOIL, VOL. 1 collection returns in a spectacular, digitally re-mastered volume! This beautiful and critically acclaimed series has not had a new edition in seventeen years. Now, digital technology allows us to bring you a more beautiful presentation than ever before.
Every single page has been completely restored, and re-lettered, with a new and stunning die cut cover! This is THE DEFINITIVE VERSION fans have been waiting for!
Features an introduction by New York Times best-selling author, NEIL GAIMAN!
Then there is the long-awaited, highly anticipated “Infinite Vacation” oversized hardcover:
story NICK SPENCER
art / cover CHRISTIAN WARD
JUNE 19
192 PAGES / FC / M
$24.99
DELUXE OVERSIZED HARDCOVER
Welcome to the INFINITE VACATION, where alternate realities are up for sale, and buying and trading your way through unlimited variations of yourself is as commonplace as checking your e-mail.
At long last the brilliant and beautiful series that turned alternate realities on its ear, collected together for the first time in a beautiful, lavish, oversized hardcover.
All five issues, plus extras – and a five-page fold-out suitable for framing.
Collects INFINITE VACATION #1-5
And the second collection of “Prophet,” featuring this gorgeous Moebius-esque cover from Giannis Milonogiannis:
PROPHET, VOL. 2: BROTHERS TP
story BRANDON GRAHAM & SIMON ROY
art SIMON ROY, FAREL DALRYMPLE, GIANNIS MILONOGIANNIS & BRANDON GRAHAM
cover GIANNIS MILONOGIANNIS
JUNE 12
172 PAGES / FC / T+
$14.99
The distant future war continues, Old man Prophet is awake now and searching across the universe for old allies that have survived the centuries since the last war.
Collects PROPHET #27-32
Among others. The “Dark Ages” hardcover collection for “Spawn” looks cool, and the collected editions of “Where is Jake Ellis” and “Witch Doctor v2” are sure to be hits as well — but that also begs the question, why aren’t you reading those books in singles?
And Now, a Quick Pause to Enjoy Some Frank Quitely Art
Mmm. New Frank Quitely art. Delicious.
(That’s the cover to “Jupiter’s Legacy” #2, if you’re somehow unawares.)
And a Whole Lot More Awesome
Look, I’ve had this problem often when trying to cover Image solicits, because really, how do you narrow it down? When you look at what they’ve got coming out in June, it’s already some of the best of the year — and it’s not even out yet! It’s very hard to highlight specific things because it just ends up as me repeating myself, and after a while you all get it: Image is awesome, and you should be reading more of it (even if you already read it all).
But, honestly, when you break down their books, what kind of stuff do you have?
Superheroes! “The Bounce” #2! “Invincible” #104 and “Invincible Universe” #3! “It girl and the Atomics” #11! “Jupiter’s Legacy” #2! “Sex” #4!
Pulp/Noir! “Chin Music” #3! “Five Ghosts” #4!
Science Fiction! “East of West” #4! “Lost Vegas” #4! “Manhattan Projects” #15! “Prophet” #38!
Thrillers/Mysteries! “Mind the Gap” #12! “Morning Glories” #28! “Thief of Thieves” #15!
Horror! “Bedlam” #3! “Revival” #11 “Ten Grand” #2! “The Walking Dead” #111!
And that’s honestly just scratching the surface.
In comparison to looking at, say, Marvel or DC, you’ll notice that all commentary is positive – whether it be from me, my colleagues or anyone else on the internet. Sure, there’s probably someone somewhere with something negative to say, but overall the reaction to all of Image’s output is extremely positive. And why wouldn’t it be? The line is diverse, the content creative, innovative and exciting. There’s so much to like about Image’s output that there’s barely any place for ardent negativity you find when certain other companies announce BIG NEW CHANGES and EXCITING SHOCKING ENDINGS and other random hyped up nonsense. You get it.
It’s March, we’re talking about June, but the message here is pretty clear: read Image Comics.
