Another month, another Soliciting Multiversity! This time around we’re looking at what Image has to offer us in August of 2016 and there’s some great stuff coming our way. From some of Image’s longest running books having major storylines to advance solicits of some amazing books to the first wave of books from the latest Image Expo seeing the light of day, this is maybe the strongest month I’ve seen from Image in a while.
So let’s get right to it, shall we? Let’s dive into Image’s Top 10 for August 2016!
10. tfw you’re never off your game
Spoiler alert: “Saga” is a pretty good comic. Shocking, I know. Someone should be paying me for all these hot takes that no one has ever said before. But I mean it, “Saga” is a routinely fantastic comic and one that hasn’t been mentioned here in a while because… well, it’s hard to talk about something that’s routinely so good without feeling like you’re repeating yourself.
Which is why I’m taking the opportunity with this issue being the first of a new story arc and featuring a sick wraparound cover by Fiona Staples to remind you of just how pretty good “Saga” is.
SAGA #37
STORY: BRIAN K. VAUGHAN
ART / COVER: FIONA STAPLES
AUGUST 31 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99
NEW STORY ARC
“THE WAR FOR PHANG,” PART ONE
SAGA is back with its most epic storyline yet, and to celebrate, FIONA STAPLES graces this issue with a gorgeous wraparound cover! Finally reunited with her ever-expanding family, Hazel travels to a war-torn comet that Wreath and Landfall have been battling over for ages. This arc is a self-contained “event” we’ve been building to since our very first issue, so now is the perfect time for readers who love SAGA’s bestselling collections to join our monthly adventures!
9. The Hype Train’s A-Rollin’
“East Of West” is a sufferer of the same problem as “Saga” in that it’s so reliably good that it’s hard to find something new and interesting to say every time a solicit comes up. Until now. With just seven words, this solicit has me so goddamned excited for this issue. I’ve been waiting for this moment for what feels like years and we’re finally going to see Death find his son. Hopefully this isn’t a solicit hyping up a last page reveal, though, because that would be the biggest tease in the world.
EAST OF WEST #29
STORY: JONATHAN HICKMAN
ART / COVER: NICK DRAGOTTA
AUGUST 24 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99
“PRODIGAL”
At long last, Death finds his son.
8. Praise The Sun!
C’mon… you know that cover looks like Solaire’s tunic. But for real, though, I love Steven T. Seagle’s writing and being able to read “Solstice”, which was originally published in 1995, in full colour is going to be something that’s really cool.
Also, I get to pretend that this is the true Dark Souls comic.
SOLSTICE HC
STORY: STEVEN T. SEAGLE
ART / COVER: MORITAT
SEPTEMBER 21 / 120 PAGES / FC / M / $19.99
ADVANCE SOLICIT
Russell Waterhouse, a manic millionaire with a death wish, drags his son, Hugh, to the most dangerous corners on a desperate hunt for the Fountain of Youth. On the longest day of the year, both men will discover there’s a reason why the mysterious wellspring has never been found—and why its most noted seekers have all met premature ends.
Presented in full color for the first time!
7. No, This Has Nothing To Do With Black Panther
I barely need to say anything here because the solicit alone should be able to sell you on “Prince Of Cats”. If you buy only one comic this September (’cause this is an advance solicit), make it this one. Ron Wimberly is king.
Continued belowPRINCE OF CATS HC
STORY / ART / COVER: RONALD WIMBERLY
SEPTEMBER 28 / 152 PAGES / FC / T+ / $24.99
ADVANCE SOLICIT
PRINCE OF CATS is the B side to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, played at an eighties block party in an NY where underground sword dueling blossomed alongside hip-hop, punk, disco, and no wave. It’s the story of the minor players with Tybalt at the center. The definitive printing of RONALD WIMBERLY’s critically-acclaimed first work, presented as intended for the first time.
6. It All Begins To End Here
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m continually surprised that “Revival” has lasted this long. Partially because I never see anyone talk about and so I’ve never been quite sure of how big the readership is and partially because it felt, to me, like a story focusing on characters more than plot and that there’d be only so much material to get out of these characters in this situation. Well, now that I have confirmation that “Revival” is ending, I’m not exactly happy, but it does make sense. I cannot wait to see what twists and turns Seeley and Norton have in store for us in this last art.
REVIVAL #42
STORY: TIM SEELEY
ART: MIKE NORTON
COVER: JENNY FRISON
AUGUST 10 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99
NEW STORY ARC
This is it; the mystery of Em’s killer is revealed! If you’ve been trade-waiting, you’re screwed! Part one of the six-part conclusion to the epic REVIVAL story!
5. The Name Of My Heavy Metal Band
You know what you don’t see very often? Medieval science fantasy. I’m not entirely sure if that’s what “Lake Of Fire” is, but the fact that there’s mention of alien spacecrafts, crusaders and God in 1220 AD makes me think we’re going to get something that’s pretty out there in concept. Nathan Fairbairn writes and colours this series (you’ve probably seen Fairbairn’s colours before because they’re amazing) with artist Matt Smith (not the Doctor Who one… I think) and it sounds like no other comics I’ve ever heard of.
LAKE OF FIRE #1
STORY: NATHAN FAIRBAIRN
ART / COVER A: MATT SMITH & NATHAN FAIRBAIRN
COVER B: CHRIS BURNHAM & NATHAN FAIRBAIRN
AUGUST 24 / 48 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99
SERIES PREMIERE
It is 1220 AD, and the gears of the Albigensian Crusade grind on. When an alien spacecraft infested with a horde of bloodthirsty predators crash-lands in the remote wilderness of the French Pyrenees, a small band of crusaders and a Cathar heretic are all that stand between God’s Kingdom and Hell on Earth. DOUBLE-SIZED FIRST ISSUE featuring FORTY-FOUR PAGES of story with no ads for just $3.99
4. The Name Of My Christian Doom Metal Band
It can be pretty easy to take crossovers in comics for granted when companies like Marvel, DC and Valiant are built on continuously crossing over their stories in order to build an entire universe of stories. It’s a lot more rare to see that kind of thing happen at Image, but that’s exactly what “Eden’s Fall” is. Combining elements from “Think Tank”, “The Tithe” and “Postal” (all three of which are Top Cow books), “Eden’s Fall” is a revenge-driven thriller that sounds very, very interesting. While I haven’t read any of the individual series, I’ll be interested in checking this out and hopeful that it reads well by itself.
EDEN’S FALL #1
STORY: MATT HAWKINS & BRYAN HILL
ART: ATILIO ROJO
COVER A: RAHSAN EKEDAL
COVER B: LINDA SEJIC
AUGUST 31 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99
SERIES PREMIERE
Top Cow combines three of its most provocative titles (THINK TANK, THE TITHE, POSTAL) in an unflinching fable of revenge and consequence. FBI Agent James Miller (THE TITHE) follows a sociopath into the off-the-grid town of Eden, Wyoming on a personal mission of vengeance. The price of this vigilante justice will be paid in blood, and both Eden and James Miller will never be the same.
3. The Name Of My New Blackened Folk Metal Band
Let’s be real: supernatural detective stories aren’t exactly new to comics. Hell, with Preacher hitting TV and John Constantine being a staple of the DC Universe, they’re decidedly in right now. It can be pretty hard, then, for that kind of comic to feel like little more of a retread of old material (I can’t tell you how many I’ve read that so desperately wanted to be “Hellblazer”), but with Chris Sebela writing this series and it only being six issues, I’m hoping we get a concentrated dose of fresh, new ideas in the style. It doesn’t hurt that the main character is named Scott Graves, either, which is my death metal stage name.
Continued belowDEMONIC #1 (OF 6)
STORY: CHRISTOPHER SEBELA
ART / COVERS A & B: NIKO WALTER & DAN BROWN
AUGUST 17 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99
SERIES PREMIERE
Detective Scott Graves will do anything to protect his family… even bargain away his soul. Now, the only thing to fear isn’t New York’s worst criminals, but what’s already raging inside of him. After all, what’s the cost of your soul when it’s already damaged?
2. Read Or Be… Read?
It’s a little disconcerting when even the solicit has to try and convince you that Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips aren’t just treading old ground with yet another noir crime comic, but, to be fair, it’s ground that bears results. Brubaker and Phillips are one of the most solid creative teams in comics and with Elizabeth Breitweiser on colours, this is sure to be a gorgeously dark series. I mean, you’re not gonna complain when a new Iron Maiden record sounds exactly like Iron Maiden, right? So why would you complain when Brubaker, Phillips and Breitweiser do what they do best?
KILL OR BE KILLED #1 – GEM OF THE MONTH
STORY: ED BRUBAKER
ART: SEAN PHILLIPS & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER
COVER: SEAN PHILLIPS
AUGUST 3 / 40 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99
The bestselling team of ED BRUBAKER and SEAN PHILLIPS (THE FADE OUT, CRIMINAL, FATALE) launch their new monthly series: KILL OR BE KILLED, the twisted story of a young man who is forced to kill bad people, and how he struggles to keep his secret as it slowly ruins his life and the lives of his friends and loved ones. Both a thriller and a deconstruction of vigilantism, KILL OR BE KILLED is unlike anything BRUBAKER & PHILLIPS have ever done.
1. The New Of My New Melodic Death Metal Band
With “The Manhattan Projects” coming and going as it pleases and “East Of West” chugging along, it’s been a while since we’ve experienced the shininess of a new comic written by Jonathan Hickman. And this seems to be his darkest yet. Teaming with artist Tomm Coker, we’re getting a series that explores the real dark side of the occult. The solicit reminds me a little bit of what “The Invisibles” explored back in the day but updated for 2016. I can’t wait for this.
THE BLACK MONDAY MURDERS #1 – GEM OF THE MONTH
STORY: JONATHAN HICKMAN
ART / COVER: TOMM COKER
AUGUST 10 / 56 PAGES / FC / M / $4.99
“MAMMON”
ALL HAIL GOD MONEY! From JONATHAN HICKMAN (EAST OF WEST, Secret Wars, Avengers) and TOMM COKER (UNDYING LOVE) comes a new crypto-noir series about the power of dirty, filthy money… and exactly what kind of people you can buy with it. THE BLACK MONDAY MURDERS is classic occultism where the various schools of magic are actually clandestine banking cartels who control all of society: a secret world where vampire Russian oligarchs, Black popes, enchanted American aristocrats, and hitmen from the International Monetary Fund work together to keep ALL OF US in our proper place.
