Our overhaul of Soliciting Multiversity continues as we get to Image. This month: Superheroes! Sex! LOLs! What more could you want?
Peek on below for the top ten picks of Image books based only on solicits for August 2013.
10. Joe’s Comics Launches Second Book
Continuing on the heels of “Ten Grand” and the return of Joe’s Comics, August sees the launch of a new book from J. Michael Straczysnki entitled “The Sidekick,” featuring Tom Mandrake and Brian Miller on art. It tells the story of what appears to be Batman/Superman and Robin analogues, except that the main one gets assassinated. The sidekick, Flyboy, devolves into a twisted world of darkness as his world subsequently crumbles.
I’ll admit – I’m a little less intrigued by this than I was “Ten Grand,” which probably isn’t that surprising. Still, It’s Straczynski, and when he’s not writing “Before Watchmen” comics he’s usually putting out rather thoughtful little gems. “Midnight Nation” is still a favorite of mine. I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least give this a tiny peek.
THE SIDEKICK #1 – GEM OF THE MONTH
story J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
art / cover A TOM MANDRAKE & BRIAN MILLER
cover B CHARLIE ADLARD
AUGUST 14
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99
WITNESS A MODERN HERO’S FALL FROM GRACE!
The Cowl and Flyboy: renowned superhero and sidekick despite dopey names. They were famous, popular, and happy until the Cowl’s assassination. Now, no one takes Flyboy seriously. Follow his trajectory from barely tolerated hero to figure of ridicule, and witness his slow descent into madness, darkness and crime.
9. New from Sina Grace – The “Born to Lose” Trilogy
From the guy who brought you “Li’l Depressed Boy” and “Not My Bag” comes a side-scroller tribute comic “Burn the Orphanage: Born To Lose.” Coming in at 40 pages and part one of a three part series, the book brings together Sina Grace and Daniel Freedman and your wallet for some good old fashioned kung-fu fun. From what little I’ve seen of this series in previews, it reminds me of what I liked about old “Power Man and Iron Fist” and “Masters of Kung Fu” comics, and that’s a good thing.
Of course, I’ll note that I’m confused as to whether the trilogy is the three issues of the series, or if this story is the first serialized portion of an overall trilogy. It doesn’t really matter, though; I’m buying it regardless. I mean, come on — “topless stripper ninja.” What more do you want …?
BURN THE ORPHANAGE: BORN TO LOSE #1 (of 3)
story DANIEL FREEDMAN & SINA GRACE
art / cover SINA GRACE
JULY 3
40 PAGES / FC / T+ TEEN PLUS
$3.99
A young orphan named Rock was left for dead, now he’s out for revenge! With partners Lex and Bear by his side, our hero will find out who burned his home and family to the ground. If that means taking on every goon, punk, and topless stripper ninja in the city… then so be it.
PART ONE OF THE BORN TO LOSE TRILOGY!
8. The Return of Haunt
When it was coming out, I wasn’t shy about asserting how great I thought “Haunt” was by Joe Casey and Nate Fox and Robbi Rodriguez. And then it ended because McFarlane was apparently not satisfied with the direction the book was going in, and I was very sad; randomly, at the end of issue #28, everything just blew up and ended, with McFarlane noting that he’d bring back Haunt in the pages of “Spawn” when the time was right.
That time is apparently now.
The question is: what does Haunt being re-tooled mean, and will the character still be worthwhile? Casey and Fox did wonders on that book. I’ll be interested to see what it is that is replacing that.
Continued belowSPAWN #234
story TODD MCFARLANE
art SZYMON KUDRANSKI
cover TODD MCFARLANE
AUGUST 7
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99
The violent, soul-shattering struggle between Jim Downing and the increasingly powerful K7-Leetha threatens to overwhelm the world’s new savior. Whoever wins – Jim or the symbiote – will change the world.
7. “Nowhere Men” Goes to Emitown
In a surprising solicit that hasn’t seemingly been discussed too many places, it looks like Emi Lenox of “Emitown” has her name popping up in the solicit for August’s issue of “Nowhere Men.” What this could mean I have no idea, but I’m very excited. In fact, now that I think about it, I kind of remember Stephenson mentioning something off-hand to us at a con about working on something with Emi; I’d assume that this is potentially it.
Given the solicit, I can’t help but wonder if this issue might be a character-based one-off like we often times get, focusing on Monica Strange with art by Emi.
Only time will tell, but we’ll certainly be buying it.
NOWHERE MEN #7
story ERIC STEPHENSON
art NATE BELLEGARDE, EMI LENOX & JORDIE BELLAIRE
cover NATE BELLEGARDE & FONOGRAFIKS
AUGUST 28
32 PAGES / COLOR / T+
$2.99
Meet Monica Strange.
6. Get To Know An Artist: Johnnie Christmas
We’ve shown you a peek inside the book, but “Sheltered” continues its launch into our world in August with a beautiful second cover by newcomer Johnnie Christmas. You all probably know Ed Brisson by now (or The Bri$$, as he likes to be called), but you may be unfamiliar with Christmas, which is a shame. An incredibly talented artist, Christmas sells the book’s premise in ways you can’t even begin to comprehend yet (specifically because you haven’t had the chance to read it, obviously); his art effectively exudes the cool chill of the icy north out of the pages and into your bones, and his characters are full of life — except when they are rather painfully not anymore.
You should get to know his art. You’re going to want to be seeing much more of him this time next year.
I met Johnnie at Emerald City this year and as good as his art is, his personality is even better. I only mention this because when Johnnie starts drawing horrible, twisted things in this book, you should forgive him.
SHELTERED #2
story ED BRISSON
art / cover JOHNNIE CHRISTMAS
AUGUST 7
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99
With their parents’ blood on their hands, the youth of Safe Haven begin to splinter as doubt is cast on Lucas’s leadership. New arrival Victoria finds that escaping from a compound built to keep others out is near-impossible.
5. Sex Sells
While you may initially think I’m going to tell you about Joe Casey and Piotr Kowalski’s “Sex” here, I’m actually going to point you in the direction of the second “Satellite Sam” solicit, featuring a cover that can only be described as classic Chakyin. The book was always solicited to have a “Black Kiss”-era Chaykin feel (maybe not so much in the explicit area… or maybe yes?) and this cover is pretty much the epitome of that.
I have very mixed feelings on “Satellite Sam” at the moment, but something tells me we’re all going to like it.
SATELLITE SAM #2
story MATT FRACTION
art / cover HOWARD CHAYKIN
AUGUST 7
32 PAGES / BW / M
$3.50
SEX • DEATH • LIVE TV!
NEW YORK CITY, 1951: Mike buries his father and Ginsburg buries the lede making his sales pitch. Will TV be an East Coast or West Coast medium? And in a pile of filthy photographs Mike finds one image that is really and truly shocking.
(The “Sex” #6 cover is obviously supposed to be pretty titillating as well.)
4. The Return of Everyone’s Favorite Comic
A while back, the delay between “Saga” #6 and #7 caused a wee bit of controversy when Image said they wouldn’t be doing any more second prints for the sold-out issues of one of their biggest series. Retailers complained, noting that the delay between issues — trade or no trade — didn’t help and Image recanted, saying that reprints would then happen. Second printings of #7 and #8 were produced for fans who hopped over from trade and were a bit late to the party, though no subsequent issues received any second prints.
Continued belowBut, screw that. Why wait? Get your “Saga” on now while it’s hot! And when “Saga” returns in August, especially after the finale of issue #12 (in all of its Inglourious Basterd-y gloury), you’re going to want to make the jump to singles if you haven’t already.
SAGA #13
story BRIAN K. VAUGHAN
art / cover FIONA STAPLES
AUGUST 14
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99
THE SMASH-HIT, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SERIES RETURNS!
Now that you’ve read the first two bestselling collections of SAGA, you’re all caught up and ready to jump on the ongoing train with Chapter Thirteen, beginning an all-new monthly sci-fi/fantasy adventure, as Hazel and her parents head to the planet Quietus in search of cult romance novelist D. Oswald Heist.
3. That’s Not All, Folks!
So apparently August’s issue of “Chew” is going to harken back to the issue right before something major, awful and terrible happened. (If you don’t know what that is, don’t give a second glance at the above cover.) But it’s going to tell something in between… Hmm.
My guess? Something is going to happen in #35 that needs explanation of an event that we didn’t see happen, and #36 is going to give us that. What do you think?
CHEW #36
story JOHN LAYMAN
art / cover ROB GUILLORY
AUGUST 14
32 PAGES / FC / M
$2.99
CHEW #36 is CHEW #29½ . Did that just blow your mind?
2. Listen (Oo-aa-oo), Do You Want To Know a Secret?
Oh, hey, remember when Hickman had a book with Ryan “Red Mass for Mars” Bodenheim coming out called “Secret,” but it only released two issues? That made us all a bit sad. Here’s something to make you less sad, though: “Secret” is coming back, Hickman, Bodenheim and all! You might want to go dig out your copies of the first two issues in between re-reads of “Manhattan Projects” and “East of West” there.
SECRET #3 (RES)
story JONATHAN HICKMAN
art RYAN BODENHEIM & MICHAEL GARLAND
AUGUST 7
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$3.50
“THE SYSTEM”
Things begin to unravel as we learn the identity of who Steadfast is working for. Billions and billions of bits of data floating through the air screaming to anyone who will listen: FOLLOW THE MONEY.
1. lol
Best. Solicit. And cover. Hands down. Period.
All hail the Zub/Huang perfection.
SKULLKICKERS #24
story RON MARZ, ADAM WARREN, TODD DEZAGO, JIM ZUB
art LEE MODER, TOM RANEY, STJEPAN SEJIC, EDWIN HUANG
cover EDWIN HUANG & JIM ZUB
AUGUST 14
32 PAGES / FC / T
$3.50
BEFORE SKULLKICKERS
A return to our classic legacy numbering just in time for a new set of Tavern Tales! Four short stories by top flight talent detailing the earlier adventures of our heroes.
That’s all from us for today! For the full solicits that we have not shown you due to not having the gusto to do a full set of commentary, be sure to check out CBR (Resource is part of their name for a reason).
