Today in San Francisco, CA Image Expo is underway. During a keynote presentation by Image Comics publisher, Eric Stephenson, it was made clear "What's Next" for Image.
After some numbers were shared, detailing how much Image sales are increasing, Stephenson brought out guest after guest, revealing new titles we can eagerly look forward to.
Robert Kirkman
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THE WALKING DEAD is approaching its 10th anniversary this year. If you've been reading and/or have seen the teaser images, you know there's four factions gearing up in the title.
Beginning in October's issue 115, All Out War kicks off a twelve-issue story arc. This marks the longest arc of the series and it will ship bi-weekly.
Kirkman also noted that after ten years of survival, he's looking forward to the actual attempt at the rebuilding of society rather than just focusing on the survival aspect.
Kirkman also noted working on season four of the AMC television show. There's a lot we can expect this year.
Ed Brubaker
Brubaker announced he managed to convince CAPTAIN AMERICA/WINTER SOLDIER artist Steve Epting to venture over to Image. The two will work on a new series entitled VELVET. You can check out an exclusive interview courtesy of Nerdist.com.
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Brubaker described VELVET as a sort of James Bond/Mission Impossible mashed together. Brubaker has been wanting to do this project for the past eight years. "If you liked Captain America, Winter Soldier and Black Widow, this'll be right up your alley."
To sweeten the deal, Bettie Breitweiser will be doing the color art on the title.
Issue #1 is due in October.
Here's a preview, click to enlarge:
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
J. Michael Straczynski
JMS talked about the current TEN GRAND with Ben Templesmith. "How far will you go for love? An eternity of pain for five minutes of love?"
SIDEKICK will allow him to do the things you can't do at the other publishers. Basically he plans to "beat the crap" out of the characters. The book's main hero, The Red Cowl is assassinated and we see the sidekick try to make it on his own.
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JMS also mentioned rebooting THE BOOK OF LOST SOULS with Colleen Doran, originally released at Marvel/Icon.
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There will be a relaunch of DREAM POLICE, also previously released at Marvel/Icon (and I really dug the issue).
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Straczynski also announced he was a secret project called ALONE with Bill Sienkiewicz doing the interiors! The plan is to keep the artwork a secret until its release.
Kurtis Wiebe
There was discussion on the PETER PANZERFAUST motion comic which has paved the way for a live-action version soon to be in production at the BBC.
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There was also some talk about the upcoming RAT QUEENS.
Matt Fraction
Fraction discussed SATELLITE SAM, debuting this week, with art by Howard Chaykin. "Sex, death and live television." Fraction also noted it's dirtier than Mad Men.
SEX CRIMINALS will be Fraction's next Image title with art by Chip Zdarsky.
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"It's about a girl that can stop time whenever she makes...whoopee. Things are strange. She meets a guy a a party with the same power. So they do what anyone would do - rob banks. It's a relationship book. A sex comedy. Like American Pie or 40 Year old Virgin."First issue is due in September.
Another title Fraction plans for next year is ODY-C. It's his take on The Odyssey, except in space. All the guys are girls and all the girls are guys. Art by Christian Ward.
Rick Remender
Remender has BLACK SCIENCE coming soon.
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Spiritual sequel to FEAR AGENT. Inspired by Frank Frazetta art. Member of anarchist league of scientists. Science is dark. Drawn by Matteo Scalera with colors by Dean White due in November.
Here's a preview, click to enlarge:
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
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Remender will also have DEADLY CLASS.
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It'll focus on a high school for assassins, in the mid 80s. It's a human story. The violence isn't the focus. "When it pops up, it'll be surprising." Wesley Craig on art.
Here's a preview, click to enlarge:
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Jason Aaron
Aaron commented on how he doesn't get to curse at Marvel. His new series, due early next year, is SOUTHERN BASTARDS.
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Aaron will be joined by Jason LaTour on art.
The book was described as Southern Untouchables vs Boss Hogg or The Dukes of Hazard by way of the Coen brothers. The main bad guy is the local high school football coach. He's a celebrated coach but there are 'buried bodies in the end zone." They've worked together before. "We're both southern bastards ourselves."
Mark Millar
Not present but a visual message was given. Follow up to JUPITER'S LEGACY in January. Millar plans an entire line of books, a new universe. First title will be MPH with Duncan Fegredo.
New Image Comics Website
Image has a spiffy new website. Head over to ImageComics.com to check it out. Aside from the new design with previews, info on entire series and other features, the big thing is the availability of digital comics you can truly own. They will be DMR-free and available in different formats - PDF, ePub, cbr or cbz.
JUPITER'S LEGACY #1 is finally available digitally there (Millar believes in holding back to allow comic shops to sell first). Warren Ellis and Jason Howard's SCATTERLANDS will be available as well.
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Woo.