As these things go, May is a quieter month for Image. There aren’t really any huge new series from high profile creators. In fact, this is a month of endings. Some of the biggest series at Image are putting out either their final issue or an issue from the final arc. Some classics are getting reprinted. This is a time to look back at the exciting book Image has been giving us for the last few years. Hopefully, the summer will be a time of renewal because this is the end of an era.
As always, you can see the full solicitations on the Image Comics website.
10. Gotta get back in time
Quietly, “Witchblade” has been a more than worthy return to the sort-of classic series. At this point, an epic cross-time adventure has been more than earned. It’s nice when we get thoughtful female-created remakes of 90s pin-up comics, and it’s even nicer when the series get enough issues to breathe. This version of “Witchblade” has seriously come into its own.
WITCHBLADE (2017) #15
WRITER: Caitlin Kittredge
ARTIST / COVER A: Roberta Ingranata
MAY 29 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99“LAST DAYS,” Part Three Alex makes it back from the apocalyptic future to the present, but not everyone makes it back with her. She and Haley face off, and Alex quickly discovers the event that kicks off the demonic takeover of New York is fast approaching.
9. Al Simmons vs the world
For someone out there, this is the perfect comic. They probably have a lot to say about the Infinity Gems on Facebook, have strong opinions on which superheroes would win which fight, and have seriously considered a Batman tattoo. You know who this person is. You may be that person. This comic is for that person.
SPAWN KILLS EVERYONE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION 1 TP
WRITER: J.J. Kirby, Todd McFarlane
ARTIST: J.J. Kirby, Will Robson
COVER A: Will Robson, Todd McFarlane
MAY 15 / 136 pages / FC/ T / $16.99SPAWN creator TODD McFARLANE presents an irreverent, action-packed, tongue-in-cheek new adventure unlike anything you’ve seen before. Collecting the sold-out SPAWN KILLS EVERYONE one-shot and the hit sequel miniseries SPAWN KILLS EVERYONE TOO for the very first time, this parody adventure pits Spawn against, well… everyone! Collects SPAWN KILLS EVERYONE! (ONE-SHOT), SPAWN KILLS EVERYONE TOO #1-4 HOLLYWOOD NEWS! Soon to be a major motion picture from Blumhouse Productions, directed by Todd McFarlane, and starring Jamie Foxx as Spawn and Jeremy Renner as Twitch.
8. And cut
Kevin Smith has had mixed success in comics, but a foul-mouthed assassin is a great fit for him. In this issue, he concludes his story on “Hit-Girl” by basically aping a Jay and Silent Bob movie, but starring a violent little girl. What a good idea.
HIT-GIRL SEASON TWO #4
WRITER: Kevin Smith
ARTIST: Pernille Ørum
COVER A / COVER B: Francesco Francavilla
COVER C: Amanda Conner
MAY 08 / 40 pages / FC/ M / $3.99“LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!” Mindy’s ready for her close-up, and the huge, bloody showdown that’s about to take place on set. The gutsy, gory, cockamamie conclusion to Hit-Girl’s golden rage of Hollywood!
7. Reap the whirlwind
In the real Midwest, we’ve been getting crazy windstorms. Everything has been just shy of turning into a full tornado, but its best enough to uproot trees and knock out the power in every other small town. It feels like the wind is trying to kill us. My point is, I really get how Abel feels. It sucks when all your fox and robot friends get menaced by the living embodiment of the hateful wind. You know how it is.
MIDDLEWEST #7
WRITER: Skottie Young
ARTIST / COVER A: Jorge Corona
MAY 22 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99Just as the chance for a new life was starting to come together, Abel spirals out of control again and his adoptive family gets caught in the storm.
6. Break the spell
What!? We’re ending “Curse Words!?” How can this be!? I joined #TeamMargaret in January of 2017, and set myself to enjoy years of adventures featuring Wizord, Ruby Stitch, Lord Sizajee, and the rest of the gonzo ensemble. But sometimes it pays to quit while you’re ahead, and Charles Soule and Ryan Browne have felt like they’re five steps ahead since this series dropped. I’m in agony just thinking about its conclusion. Pour out a cup of powdered sapphire for this wonderful series.
Continued belowCURSE WORDS #21
WRITER: Charles Soule
ARTIST / COVER A: Ryan Browne
MAY 01 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99“FAIRY TALE ENDING,” Part One (of Five) That’s right, CURSE WORDS is barreling to its epic conclusion—only five issues left. All questions will be answered, all spells will be cast—it’ll be just plain magical. In this issue, see Wizord and Ruby Stitch vanquish many enemies, only to face one they can’t sorcerize into submission… the truth!
5. My own worst enemy
I love me a good fantasy world, and no one has created a more compelling land than Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda in “Monstress.” I’m not saying I want to go there- it’s full of cannibals and slavery. But I am fascinated by it. So when a solicit promises to unleash all the hell in the world on Mariko, I take that as an exciting chance to see the various terrifying factions band together. It’s exciting yo.
MONSTRESS #22
WRITER: Marjorie Liu
ARTIST / COVER A: Sana Takeda
MAY 22 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99Maika is forced to rethink her entire past and future when she finds herself in the center of a dangerous conspiracy against the Known World.
4. Counting the i’s
Okay… there’s one ‘i’ in decide… so one person has to make a decision. But there are two ‘i’s’ in deicide, which means two gods are gonna die? And considering that there is one very bad god who is really two people… and seeing who is on the cover… yeah. This solicit may be enigmatic, but I am hyped as hell.
THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #44
WRITER: Kieron Gillen
ARTIST / COVER A: Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson
COVER B: Miquel Muerto, Emma Ríos
MAY 15 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99“OKAY,” Part Five There’s one “i” in “decide” but two in “deicide.” I’m not sure if that tells you anything, but it sounds pretty enigmatic, right?
3. Bite your thumb at us
This is more of a “don’t miss this” recommendation but… can I interest you in “Prince of Cats?” It came out a few years ago, and it is a badass street samurai retelling of Romeo and Juliet. It’s got a cool neon New York block party vibe and- look just check it out. It’s a new collection of the series and if you missed it last time it came around, now’s your chance to see what you missed. If you’ve read it already, you know you want this gorgeous new trade in your collection.
PRINCE OF CATS OGN TP
WRITER / ARTIST / COVER A: Ronald Wimberly
JUNE 19 / 152 pages / FC/ T+ / $17.99RONALD WIMBERLY’s critically acclaimed first work returns with a new cover! PRINCE OF CATS is the B side to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, played at an ‘80s block party in a New York where underground sword dueling blossomed alongside hip-hop, punk, disco, and no wave. It’s a deconstruction of Romeo and Juliet’s romantic meta narrative focusing on the minor players, with Tybalt at the center. TRIM SIZE: 9.375” x 12.25”
2. Self: actualized
Hey, I do not think “Self/Made” was originally solicited as a miniseries. But now they are calling this issue 6 of 6! That means it’s ending. I’m heartbroken. “Self/Made” was getting good buzz before it came out, but it went and rocked my world. It’s an excellent comic from some very promising creators. I’m going to look for the silver lining, and start getting hype for whatever Mat Groom and company do next!
SELF/MADE #6 (OF 6)
WRITER: Mat Groom
ARTIST / COVER A: Marcelo Costa, Eduardo Ferigato
MAY 01 / 32 pages / FC/ M / $3.99“A REAL PAIN-IN-THE-ASS ACCIDENT” Amala lost her family in her search for answers. Bryce lost his soul in his quest for revenge. Now, outside the walls of the universe, far beyond all that we understand, they come face-to-face for the last time.
1. White whale, holy grail
This one always was going to be a limited run, but I’m still having trouble coping. Daniel Warren Johnson’s soulful heavy metal adventure has spoken to me more than any other comics on the stand. Maybe it’s because the main dude is named Jake. Maybe I can emphasize with his health problems. Maybe it’s because his best friend is Murf (short for Murder Falcon) who can only fight as well as Jake shreds the guitar. Whatever it is, “Murder Falcon” has been the saddest, sweetest imaginable story about a band who can summon ancient creatures to battle the demons that plague the Earth. “Extremity” may have been creative and groundbreaking, but “Murder Falcon” was full of spirit. Rock on DWJ.
Continued belowMURDER FALCON #8
WRITER: Daniel Warren Johnson
ARTIST: Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer
COVER A: Mike Spicer, Daniel Warren Johnson
COVER B: Paul Pope
MAY 08 / 32 pages / FC/ T / $3.99DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON’s power ballad concludes in a brutal battle of the bands! The members of Brooticus have come too far to allow Magnum Khaos to reign on Earth. Strap on your axe, join the battle, and remember: METAL WILL DESTROY ALL EVIL!
