Image Comics Brings Innovation in 2012

2012 is primed to be a big year for Image Comics. In addition to it being their 20th anniversary, they recently announced Image Expo, a con focused on creator owned work.  But in terms of comic books they’ll be publishing, Image Comics publisher Eric Stephenson posted a glimpse of what’s to come from Image in 2012 on his blog in a post titled A Future Apart. Now, I’m not sure if people actually click the links to the sources we post here, but in this case, this is a link worth clicking.

Stephenson makes the point, in an amusing fashion, that with most of the comics industry abuzz about the recently announced Avengers Vs. X-Men from Marvel Comics and/or the recent rumors of new Watchmen material from DC Comics, Image Comics is primed to be bringing new comics to the world from some of the industries top creators such as Ed Brubaker, Brian K. Vaughan, Jonathan Hickman, Robert Kirkman and others.

In the post, we get glimpses of art from the upcoming titles, some we’ve seen such as Brubaker and Phillips Fatale, which was announced at the New York Comic Con as well as Hell Yeah, which we spoke to writer Joe Keatinge about a few weeks ago. But the post also gives us glimpses as some other new material coming from Image…

New material such as Saga from Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, which was announced at the San Diego Comic Con, and Stephenson shares some art which gives us a taste of what’s to come:

Saga

Also posted was Manhattan Projects, the next series from Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra, who just recently wrapped up The Red Wing. This next project has the classic Hickman look to it, and considering how strong Red Wing was, I’m instantly excited for Manhattan Projects from this Image alone:

Manhattan Projects

With 20 years behind them, Image Comics, which got its start by introducing new and innovative material into the marketplace is clearly continuing that tradition into 2012 and as a reader and a fan, I applaud Stephenson for making that point. Sure, I’m going to be reading Avengers Vs. X-Men, because I’m also a Marvel and X-Men fan, but when I make recommendations or look for something new to tell people to check out, it’s books like the recently launched Mud Man from Paul Grist, or our book of the month Who Is Jake Ellis? and in 2012, I know it will be Saga, Hell Yeah and many others.

Comments

  1. He’s got a point, I am counting down the days until I can pre-order Saga, while the Marvel event is more of the same. The possibility of more Watchman does have some morbid curiosity attached.

    I’m hoping Bendis stepping down from Avengers is the beginning of something new from Marvel and they can try a different direction. Let some young gun like Cullen Bunn steer for a while.

    Til then bring on all the BKV creator own Image can publish

    • Speaking of Cullen Bunn, does anyone else get a “The Damned” vibe when they see promotional materials for Brubaker’s “Fatale” (also shown in the blog post Ron links us to)? The Damned is a great book (same team as The Sixth Gun) and I hope Fatale is a much different story despite the noir + demons theme as I really enjoy both Bunn and Brubaker’s work. I, of course, can’t pass up on a new Brubaker/Phillips book, so I’ll definitely be getting Fatale either way.

    • After the Fear Itself tie-in “The Deep”, I was kinda hoping Cullen would write a Defenders series. But alas…

    • When I first heard about the Defender series, I figured it would be Cullen, based on his Fear Itself tie-in. I would have jumped at that series, but Fraction isn’t my flavour of comics to be honest.

  2. Well played Image. I’m in.

  3. So that means Saga will appear in March, if I read that blogpost correctly? Cool!! Same as Hickman’s Manhattan Project. Is that book what evolved from Feel Better Now, that was cancelled some weeks ago?

  4. I really like the new Hickman page/promo. Nice design, and its a bit different than his usual, which is refreshing.

    Saga is really interesting…love the team. I’m looking forward to that one.

  5. Do we know if MP will be drawn by Hickman?

  6. I find myself being more excited for non big two books more and more.
    I really want to read Saga, thief of theives and hell yeah.

  7. Can’t wait for saga and now I’m interested for Manhattan Project off that image alone.

  8. Yes!! Image is the best publisher in comics and it will continue to be it next year, which looks to be Image’s best year yet! Saga, Hell Yeah, Peter Panzerfaust, Thief of Thieves, and Fatale all look to be amazing books, in addition to the great work Image is already putting out.

  9. I’m excited for more Nick Pitarra in my life. Any idea when in 2012 it comes out?

  10. Ouch! My wallet hurts! Luckily I have some minis (and a couple of cancellations) on my pull-list which are going to complete in time to make some room for this.