Heads Up: Image Comics Previews – April 2012

Being a comic fan can be tough. With so many publishers printing more and more books, canceling titles and starting new ones, it can be daunting when you head to the comic book shop on a Wednesday to know exactly what’s coming out.

The current system of presenting and ordering comics three months ahead of their release as set forth by the sole comics distributor, Diamond Comics, doesn’t make it any easier either. We’re not a fan of that system, we think it’s slowly strangling comics to death, but we realize it’s a harsh reality of how the industry works and we definitely don’t want you to miss out on any of the cool comics being published.

And so, as opposed to regurgitating the list of comics solicited in Previews each month, we present to you some of the highlights of things you probably won’t want to miss out on.

SPOILER WARNING in order to get people to order comics, the publishers have a funny habit of revealing what’s happening in the books. If you don’t want anything at all to be spoiled, then you’ll probably want to skip this post and take your chances with your pre-orders and/or your shopping.


ANOTHER Hickman Ongoing Monthly Series?!?!

Secret #1

Yes, you read that correctly. Jonathan Hickman is diving into 2012 strong with his second ongoing series at Image Comics. This time he’s teaming up again with Red Mass For Mars artist Ryan Bodenheim to bring us Secret, which should sell like gangbusters with those who work in the dentistry game. Based on the solicit text alone before, this sounds like another instant must read from one of the hottest creators in comics.

SECRET #1
story JONATHAN HICKMAN
art RYAN BODENHEIM

APRIL 11
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$3.50

“TEETH, WITH WHICH TO EAT”

A man gets shot in London, a law firm gets broken into in Washington, an accountant gives away the password to his computer, and something put to sleep 20 years ago awakens. What is the unsavory relationship all these things share, and how could it bring down two of the largest governments in the history of the world?

It’s SECRET, a brand new, ongoing, monthly comic from the creators of A RED MASS FOR MARS.

Brought to you by award-winning writer JONATHAN HICKMAN and break-out talent, RYAN BODENHEIM, SECRET is an espionage thriller that takes a deep look into the shadow world existing between the government and private security firms.

And From the OTHER Jonathan…

America's Got Powers #1America's Got Powers #2

What do you get when you take one of the most popular and best selling artists of the past decade and team him up with one of the world’s most popular TV show host (and comic book fan) who moonlight’s as a comic book writer? You get a high concept that has got me dying to get my hands on the first issue of America’s Got Powers. Even better, we get TWO issues of this mini-series in April. After seeing this glimpse of the artwork, this looks like some of the best Hitch work in years. This one is going to be big!

AMERICA’S GOT POWERS #1 (of 6)
story JONATHAN ROSS
art / cover BRYAN HITCH

APRIL 11
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

Welcome to AMERICA’S GOT POWERS! It’s the biggest TV show on Earth, where the chance to win fame, fortune and get laid are dangled in front of a generation of super-powered teens. All they have to do is WIN. Who is the fastest, the strongest or the greatest? Who survives? Young Tommy Watt’s dreams of being the greatest hero of them all might just be shattered when the greatest show on the planet begins to reveal it’s dark heart.

 

AMERICA’S GOT POWERS #2 (of 6)
story JONATHAN ROSS
art / cover BRYAN HITCH

APRIL 25
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

A generation of super-powered teens battle to be The Hero on the biggest TV event in history but Tommy Watt’s dreams of fame and fortune might be over even if he survives The Trials. Someone is coming and he’s going to destroy the show and everybody in it!

 No, I’m Not Making the “Girl Power” Joke. I Won’t Do It…

Alpha Girl #3

With Image releasing such great comics already this early in 2012, I want to make sure that everyone knows about a title that I’m super excited for, Alpha Girl. This zombie fightin’ tale set in the 1980s just bleeds fun and by the third issue, you’re guaranteed to be hooked.

ALPHA GIRL #3
story JEAN-PAUL BONJOUR & JEFF ROENNING
art / cover ROBERT LOVE, DANA SHUKARTSI, & DIEGO SIMONE

APRIL 25
32 PAGES / FC / M

$2.99

After last issue’s blackout ending, Judith wakes to find herself trapped in a freaky new world. Who are the men in rubber suits? Will she escape her clinical cage? What waits for her in the outside world, and who the hell is Frank? Suburban Wasteland not only brings the terror, but will have you spitting beer out your nose.

Aw Yeah! Let’s Get EXTREME Up In Here!!

Supreme #63

The Extreme Comics relaunch continues, but this time with…ALAN MOORE. Supreme #63 is the last issue penned by Alan Moore back in the 1990s, but was never released. Dusted off and finally drawn by Erik Larsen and Cory Hamscher, this begins a bold new era for Supreme with one of my favorite creators of all time at the helm.

SUPREME #63
story ALAN MOORE
art ERIK LARSEN & CORY HAMSCHER
cover ERIK LARSEN
variant covers by CORY HAMSCHER & ROB LIEFELD

APRIL 4
32 PAGES / FC / T
$2.99

“REVELATIONS”

The legendary Supreme returns! ALAN MOORE’s final SUPREME tale is the ultimate jumping on point for new readers! The triumphant return of Image Comics’ most powerful hero! As Supreme romances Diana Dane he takes her on a tour of the Citadel Supreme and tells all of his innermost secrets just as Supreme’s most hated nemesis, Darius Dax, makes a most unfortunate discovery: the key to defeat his abhorred adversary! It’s most mind-blowing cliffhanger in the history of comics! Featuring a story by award winning author ALAN MOORE (WATCHMEN) and art by fan favorites ERIK LARSEN (SPIDER-MAN, SAVAGE DRAGON) & CORY HAMSCHER (X-MEN). You wish all comics were this good!

Glory #25

There’s an old saying, “Less is more.” That can be tricky in comics, but after reading the description of Glory #25 below and seeing the cover art above, I’m sold. They had me at “500 Years Later” but they sealed the deal with “Mars”

GLORY #25
story JOE KEATINGE
art & cover ROSS CAMPBELL

APRIL 11
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

“ONCE AND FUTURE,” Part Three
500 Years Later. Mars.

 Prophet #24

OH COME ON! I’ve already been raving about Prophet, but now with issue #24 we get Farel Dalrymple on art? It’s not even fair! Plus Giannis Milonogiannis might be the best new name in comics.

PROPHET #24
story BRANDON GRAHAM
art FAREL DALRYMPLE
cover GIANNIS MILONOGIANNIS

APRIL 18
32 PAGES / FC / T+
$2.99

John Prophet’s mission has been changed. He now has to cross the continent sized starship of Sleepingman to save a creature who has crashed onto the world below.
He must survive deadly radiation and a strangely familiar thing that’s been trapped in the ship.

You Like To Wait…For The Trade?

 The Strange Talent of Luther Strode

One of the best miniseries of 2011/2012, I’ve been describing The Strange Talent of Luther Strode as “Like Kickass, but good.” This tale of a teen who gets powers and steps up has been done with such sincerity and raw talent, I’m amazed that it hasn’t been noticed by more people. Do yourself a favor, check this trade out and see if you agree with me. I bet you will.

THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE, VOL. 1 TP
story JUSTIN JORDAN
art & cover TRADD MOORE

APRIL 4
144 PAGES / FC / M
$14.99

Luther Strode is just your average geek until he sends for an exercise course from the back of an old comic book. What he gets is the instruction manual from a murder cult as old as mankind that does everything that it promised and more.

Collects THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE # 1-6

 Infinite Horizon

You can take your snide remarks about how long it took this series to come to and end and stuff ’em in a sack, Mister! Because at the end of the day, all that matters is a good story and this modern version of the Odyssey is exactly that. Plus, you know all those amazing Phil Noto sketches we post? Yeah, well imagine that level of art amazingness on 184 Pages of The Infinite Horizon! Phil Noto is one of the most talented guys in comics and this book will show you why.

THE INFINITE HORIZON TP
by GERRY DUGGAN & PHIL NOTO
Cover by NOTO

APRIL 11
184 PAGES / FC / T+
$17.99

The Eisner nominated series inspired by The Odyssey is finally completed and collected. The Soldier With No Name survived years of war only to be stranded halfway across the globe when the conflict ended. Getting home means going through the hell: Escaping shipwrecks, beating a vicious opponent wearing a cycloptic combat armor…and resisting the siren’s call of a predatory society. Containing bonus material by artist PHIL NOTO.

Collects THE INFINITE HORIZON #1-6

 Severed

Of course Severed, the chilling mini series written by Mr. Comics 2011, Scott Snyder and Scott Tuft and artist Attila Futaki, would get collected as a hardcover first. Why? Because while the story may be disturbing and nightmare inducing, the art by Futaki is stunning and if there was ever a book that deserved a grander treatment in it’s first collection, it’s Severed. You’ve heard us rave about it, so step up and see exactly why this book is so special.

SEVERED HC
story SCOTT SNYDER & SCOTT TUFT
art / cover ATTILA FUTAKI

APRIL 4
192 PAGES / FC / M
$29.99

Eisner Award winner SCOTT SNYDER (Batman, Swamp Thing, American Vampire), Scott Tuft & NYT Best-Selling-Artist Attila Futaki (The Lightning Thief) bring you the complete collected hardcover of the scariest horror comic of the year, SEVERED.

1916. A man haunts the roads; a man with sharp teeth and a hunger for flesh. When 12 year-old Jack Garron runs away from home, he’ll see how quickly the American Dream becomes a nightmare. Collecting all 7 issues of the critically acclaimed series, and featuring never-before-seen bonus material, this hardcover deluxe version is sure to be a classic.

Collects SEVERED #1-7

For the full list of Image solicits for February, click on over to ComicBookResources.com 

Comments

  1. All three of those trades look likely to be pulled when the time comes.

  2. Ron said exactly what I was going to say about Luther Strode. Like Kick Ass, except good. Seriously guys, grab that book.

  3. That plot synopsis for Luther Strode is so fricken brilliant that I’m almost ashamed that this wasn’t previously on my radar. Definitely getting that and a few other of these items, like Severed and Supreme.

  4. Great stuff, I’m definitely getting America’s Got Powers and Secret.

  5. Wow, there is some seriously good looking stuff in there. And here’s me all broke and whatnot!

  6. Green Wake vol. 2, Infinite Horizon, Luther Strode vol. 1. That’s a good month.

  7. I’m glad to see Severed get the HC treatment first, unlike most Image books.

  8. Speaking of Hickman at Image….did Feel better Now ever come out? I feel like it was supposed to be out in December?

  9. I’m grabbing that Luther strode I’m sold

  10. Image certainly has a lot of interesting properties coming out lately.

  11. Secret sounds great from the solicit, but omg that cover is hideous.