At the tail end of last year, Image announced that David Lapham’s “Stray Bullets” would be returning in March. Putting the first four issues online and promising that both the last issue of the original series, an omnibus of the whole shebang and the first issue of a new volume would be arriving all on the same day, it was like a mind-exploding smorgasbord of awesome that probably still hasn’t fully registered for some people.
So, in order to once again blow minds and get us all properly excited for the return of Lapham’s seminal series, Image has sent over a brand new five-page preview of “Stray Bullets: Killers” #1. And boy howdy, if this doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will. There might be something wrong with you; check your pulse and see a doctor.
Take a look at the first five page preview below:
There was never any doubt in my mind that Lapham would still have it, but man, Lapham’s still got it, doesn’t he? Shit.
For the full press release from Image Comics, please see below. In the meantime, we’re going to read this preview again.
Image Comics Press Release
Award-winning creator David Lapham’s STRAY BULLETS has arrived at Image Comics. The critically-acclaimed cult classic picks up where it left off with issue #40 while simultaneously launching a new arc, STRAY BULLETS: KILLERS #1, and the ÜBER ALLES EDITION, a collection of all forty-one issues of STRAY BULLETS.
On March 12, fans of the classic series can enjoy STRAY BULLETS #41 (Diamond Code JAN140528), and then reread the series in full with the definitive collection of issues #1-41 entitled STRAY BULLETS: ÜBER ALLES EDITION (Diamond Code JAN140530). On the same day, the first issue of STRAY BULLETS: KILLERS (Diamond Code JAN140529) will be available, the beginning of a new arc which will continue as an ongoing monthly series. For those who haven’t yet joined the legion of loyal STRAY BULLETS fans, this is the perfect opportunity to jump in on the series.
And for those interested in building up their digital library, every issue of STRAY BULLETS is available on the Image Comics website (imagecomics.com) and the official Image Comics iOS app, as well as on Comixology on the web (comixology.com), iOS, Android, and Google Play. All forthcoming issues will be available upon release, but to help readers jump in on the phenomenon, the first four issues are free digitally for a limited time.
“Stray Bullets is all about delivering a gut-punch each and every issue,” said Lapham. “I call it domestic-noir. These stories will hit you where you live.”
STRAY BULLETS won the 1996 Eisner Award for Best Writer/Artist, and the hardcover collection STRAY BULLETS: Innocence of Nihilism won the 1997 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album-Reprint. Its trademark dark, neo-noir themes and nonlinear storytelling have been likened to the storytelling styles of Quentin Tarantino and David Lynch.
“Stray Bullets is one of comics’ greatest achievements and having it here at Image is a tremendous source of pride, not just for myself, but for everyone involved with the company,” said Eric Stephenson, Publisher at Image Comics. “Collecting the entire original series alongside David’s new work in Stray Bullets: Killers has been an incredible undertaking, but it’s something I know old and new readers alike are going to appreciate when these books hit the stands.”
All three STRAY BULLETS will release on March 12, 2014. Full ordering information below:
STRAY BULLETS #41, 32 pgs., Diamond Code: JAN140528
STRAY BULLETS: ÜBER ALLES EDITION, 1,200 pgs. TP, Diamond Code: JAN140530
STRAY BULLETS: KILLERS #1, 32 pgs., Diamond Code: JAN140529
