Ah, it is time! We’ve talked Dark Horse, we’ve talked DC, and now it is time in our monthly cycle to discuss the offerings of Image that come out in three months!
Read below for our top picks from the solicits, and head over to the Resource of Comic Books for the full solicits.
(You’d think by now we’d just start posting solicits on our site, right? And stop giving CBR all that traffic, as if they need it! But we never learn.)
10. Shaky Kane Returns to Elephantmen
“Elephantmen” is one of those books that I think gets a lot of respect from fans but not a lot of discussion. I’m not sure where the disconnect comes from, and I’ll happily admit I’ve not read every issue of the series, only more recent issues, but it’s still a pretty tremendous book that usually features some excellent artists in its pages.
Like Shaky fucking Kane, you guys. He’s back.
Don’t you dare skip this.
ELEPHANTMEN #56
story MARK SCHWEIKERT & RICHARD STARKINGS
art / cover SHAKY KANE
FEBRUARY 26 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99
“BLOOD AND SAND” SHAKY KANE returns to ELEPHANTMEN to tell a chilling story of the L.A.P.D’s Lieutenant Trench.
9. Finite Oppenheimers Concludes
One of my favorite stories within “Manhattan Projects” is the story of what’s happening with Oppenheimer. After we learned that he has been eating and absorbing different iterations of himself (the big twist at the end of first issue), the two stories detailing what happens in his mind have been two of the best so far — and illustrated by Ryan Browne too boot!
Now, with #20, it all comes to a head as we see the ultimate outcome about the war that is raging on inside of Oppenheimer’s mind. While it is not illustrated by Browne, I can’t wait to see how series artist Nick Pitarra handles the landscape and how it will fallout towards the rest of the book. It’s guaranteed to be one of the most twisted issues of the book, that’s for sure.
THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #20
story JONATHAN HICKMAN
art NICK PITARRA
FEBRUARY 26 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.50
“FINITE OPPENHEIMERS: FOREVER”
High stakes as the imagined reality of the Mad Oppenheimers finally collides with the Manhattan Projects proper.
8. Satellite Sam Returns!
In last month’s solicit article, I lamented that “Satellite Sam” (and “Sex”) were missing. “Sam” had been announced as a mini-series (from what I remember, says the guy too lazy to go to Google) and I was unclear if it would continue forward for anything more than a brief limited time. Now we get to see that yes, yes it will, and one of Image’s best and most understated books will not leave our lives just yet.
I know fans of Fraction are throwing all their joy around the zany antics of “Sex Criminals,” but man, “Satellite Sam” is excellent. I can’t wait to see what happens in volume two.
SATELLITE SAM #6
story MATT FRACTION
art / cover HOWARD CHAYKIN
FEBRUARY 5 / 32 PAGES / BW / M / $3.50
VOLUME TWO of SATELLITE SAM starts HERE: The son of the slain star of SATELLITE SAM steps into his father’s shoes in more ways than one while falling into bed with any woman that’ll have him. One of the stars of the show with a dubious past finds herself in the media spotlight—and trouble with the law. All while a sex and blackmail scandal threatens to envelop the show and the nascent LeMonde Television Network—unless someone stands up and saves the day.
SEX! DEATH! LIVE TV! Brought to you by MATT FRACTION (SEX CRIMINALS, Hawkeye) and HOWARD CHAYKIN (BLACK KISS, CENTURY WEST).
7. Drumhellar Ramps Up
While only one issue has come out, I feel like I’ve not seen enough people talk about how much fun “Drumhellar” #1 was. Many people praise Riley Rossmo’s art, and rightfully so; “Drumhellar” was a great treat for fans of the artist as he diversified his signature style throughout the book, giving us a nice mix of clean line art and the more distorted and disturbed shaky artwork he made a name for himself with. Plus, with Alex Link, it’s a book of his own design — you’re seeing exactly what Rossmo wants to draw, which definitely has a certain appeal to it.
Continued belowWell, when discussing this book with Riley a while back, I remember him saying that only four or five issues were planned of a book he wanted to be his new ongoing. I loved “Drumhellar” #1, and “Drumhellar” #4 in February sounds pretty excellent. I’m throwing my support behind it, and so should you.
DRUMHELLAR #4
story RILEY ROSSMO & ALEX LINK
art / cover RILEY ROSSMO
FEBRUARY 5 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.50
When an immortal talk radio celebrity discovers a slight problem with living forever, he turns to Drum Hellar, the psychedelic detective, for help. But Drum’s got problems of his own. He’s in prison, in the doghouse with his girlfriend and in serious need of drugs! He’ll have to take desperate—and deadly—action!
6. The Best Peter Panzerfaust Arc Gets Collected
On my bus ride to NYCC 2013, I took the time to get caught up on a lot of books I enjoy but let fall to the wayside. “Peter Panzerfaust” was one of them, as I had not read a single issue since the end of the second arc. In one sitting, I read #11 through #15 — and holy shit. I’ve always thought “Panzerfaust” was good, but the third arc was hands down the best story I’d read, both in this series and Wiebe’s general catalogue.
(Well, OK, maybe I wouldn’t go that far — I still love “Green Wake” the best. But still.)
Seeing it get collected in February reminds me that this is a book that deserves support, and the third arc is a great example of why. It’s tense, it’s action packed and it features one of the best storylines within the series yet, with #15 particularly shining a light on what makes Wiebe and Jenkins excellent storytellers. I don’t want to be a spoilsport, but … well. Those last few pages, man. I still think about ’em.
So, if you’re not caught up? Now is the time.
PETER PANZERFAUST, VOL. 3: CRY OF THE WOLF TP
story KURTIS J. WIEBE
art / cover TYLER JENKINS
FEBRUARY 26 / 136 PAGES / FC / T / $14.99
Collects PETER PANZERFAUST #11-15
Having faced the wrath of The Hook, Peter and the Lost Boys join forces with the Braves in guerilla warfare from their secret hideout in the Sticks. This time, Felix is the man with the memories, and as Mr. Parsons soon learns, he’s not eager to revisit that life.
So, this time we have something special. An aspect of discussion surrounding Image that had been that they were throwing more weight behind creator-owned books by top name creators than unknowns — something I discussed with Eric Stephenson directly earlier this year. And lo and behold, February sees the launch of six new titles, three of which are from relatively unknown creators within the industry.
So, for this month’s Soliciting Multiversity about Image, I’m going to highlight these in my Top 5 in order of interest, at least to me. Your interests may vary based on personal preference, of course.
5. “The Revenger” by Jonathan Ross and Ian Churchill
Jonathan Ross and Ian Churchill are not in any way “relatively unknown creators,” as Ross has hosted multiple shows on radio and television (and written a few comics) and Churchill has been working in the industry since at least the 90’s (including illustrating one of my favorite minis from when I was younger, “Deadpool: Sins of the Past.” Seeing the two team up on a new book is pretty exciting, and I’m very interested to see what the two have cooked up together.
Continued belowTHE REVENGER #1
story JONATHAN ROSS
art / cover IAN CHURCHILL
FEBRUARY 26 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99
Griffin Franks was a joke in Hollywood. A washed up action-hero. Over the hill. Past it. A has-been. A barely-was. But now he IS The Revenger. He’s a star. His movie’s a hit. His latest wife is hot. He finally has everything he wants. Just in time for someone to take it all away. Forever. Starting with his face.
4. “One Hit Wonder” by Fabrice Sapolsky and Ariel Olivetti
The solicit for this is certainly one of the more intriguing concepts overall, if I do say so myself. The other books go into more fantastical ideas that are unreal within our world, but what Sapolsky and Olivetti tackle sounds like an intriguing take on some real-to-life problems (what happens to child stars) and a few familiar tropes (hitmen in Hollywood — Get Shorty, anyone?). I know people frown on simply calling a book “fun,” but this book certainly seems like it could be.
And, again, Olivetti and Sapolsky are certainly not unknowns, but that doesn’t make this any more interesting.
ONE HIT WONDER #1 (of 5)
story FABRICE SAPOLSKY
art /cover ARIEL OLIVETTI
FEBRUARY 26 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.50
If there was a thin line between reality and fiction, Richie Reese tore it down. Better, he crushed it. Smashed it. Destroyed it. From child star to hitman in Hollywood, this is the story of a glorious bastard.
Written by FABRICE SAPOLSKY (Spider-Man Noir) and drawn by superstar artist ARIEL OLIVETTI (Cable, Punisher War Journal, Conan), this is the crime comedy series you don’t want to miss this year.
3. “The Mercenary Sea” by Kel Symons and Mathew Reynolds
I can never get enough enough pulp comics, and this certainly seems in line with that. Reading the solicit, I can’t help but think of things like “Doc Unknown,” even if it’s unintentional. You may remember Symons from “I Love Trouble”, a pretty strange and funny book, and while I’m unfamiliar with Reynold’s art, browsing his DeviantArt page reveals some excellent character studies. In terms of looks alone, I’m perhaps most excited to see what comes from this team.
THE MERCENARY SEA #1
story KEL SYMONS
art/cover MATHEW REYNOLDS
FEBRUARY 12 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $2.99
“NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT”
Action and adventure set in 1938—The South Seas. Japan has invaded China. War in Europe is imminent. Ex-bootlegger Jack Harper captains The Venture, a refitted German U-Boat, with a crew of expats, mercenaries and treasure hunters. They do whatever it takes to stay afloat, often running up against pirates, headhunters, spies, and soldiers. They’re always one step away from the greatest score of their lives…or their certain demise.
2. “The Fuse”, by Antony Johnston and Justin Greenwood
Ok. In terms of “unknown creators,” selecting “The Fuse” as my #2 is probably cheating. Johnston and Greenwood have collaborated together on “Wasteland” for Oni, and Johnston has written “Daredevil” — let alone his brand new book at Image “Umbral.”
But, really, the strength of “Wasteland” and “Umbral” speak for themselves here, right? I’m very excited to see Johnston’s career ramping up like this, and a new sci-fi book with Greenwood is just what the doctor ordered. Assuming you go to the doctor for comic recommendations, anyway.
THE FUSE #1
story ANTONY JOHNSTON
art / cover JUSTIN GREENWOOD
FEBRUARY 12 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.50
Working homicide 22,000 miles up on an orbiting energy platform, in a five-mile-long jury-rigged steel city stuffed with a half million people, with no help from your so-called colleagues back on Earth, is more than tough…it’s murder!
Cynical, foul-mouthed veteran ANTONY JOHNSTON (UMBRAL, Wasteland, Daredevil) gets partnered with fresh-faced idealist JUSTIN GREENWOOD (Wasteland, Resurrection) for a new crime series with attitude! Murder, mayhem, and mystery—22,000 miles straight up
1. “Undertow” by Steve Orlando and Artyom Trakhanov
For this title, I’m not sure it needs any more justification than “A brand new pulp monster adventure with Ray Harryhausen in its heart.”
Sold.
UNDERTOW #1
story STEVE ORLANDO
art / cover ARTYOM TRAKHANOV
FEBRUARY 19 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99
Atlantis is the world superpower, and Redum Anshargal is its worst enemy. If you want to break free of the system, he can offer you a place at his side, exploring the wild surface world in his watertight city barge The Deliverer. He and his hostage-protege Ukinnu Alal hunt the Amphibian, a legend that could be the key to an air-breathing life on land. But as they become the hunted, can Anshargal’s team survive long enough to turn the tables on the godlike beast they set out for?
A brand new pulp monster adventure with Ray Harryhausen at its heart and a look at Atlantis like never before from the up-and-coming team of writer STEVE ORLANDO (Mystery in Space) and artist ARTYOM TRAKHANOV.
