Almost 2 years in anticipation, Image Comics releases Image United #1 this week. Writer Robert Kirkman drafts a story that brings together the Image Founders to illustrate in unprecedented jam piece that kicks off this Wednesday! Ron caught up with Robert Kirkman to hear what the story is exactly about, as well as his favorite characters to write, how he fleshed our Fortress, Whilce Portacio's new character and more.
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Image United
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artists: Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, While Portacio, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino
Layouts: Rob Liefeld
Colors: Nikos Koutsis, Mike Toris
Lettering: Tom Orzechowski
$3.99 – Image Comics
Listen to iFanboy Talksplode: Don't Miss #4 with Robert Kirkman
Total Running Time: 16:37
Music:
Hooligans for Life
Rival Schools
Here is a preview of the first 5 pages of Image United #1:
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Im loving Jim Lee’s cover…
Robert Kirkman on iFanboy is always gold. Unfortunately, I won’t get to listen to this until after I buy my comics, but I’m planning on picking this up if my shop has a copy.
i don’t know if i have ever been more excited for a book in the past 10 years as I am for this miniseries. Lots of great stuff about it at http://www.imageunited.info and @imageunited on Twitter.
Cannot wait for Wednesday (more than normal)
I love Image, but I’ve not read the stories with any of these characters. Any advice on what I’d need to know before reading this or picking it up? The art looks great and I certainly love Kirkman, but I’m not familiar with anyone.
Not a good jumping on point?
Actually, I think it’s a great jumping on point – Kirkman does a great job making it accessible to readers. Pick up the issue and give it a shot
It’ll be interesting, at least from an artwork point of view hopefully, but I just can’t imagine it’ll be a good read, even if I like Kirkman…
Kinda surprised that they asked Jim Lee to do a cover considering he jumped ship then sold Wildstorm to DC. But since Lee is and has always been the media whore it doesnt surprise me that he found a way to be involved in something that really has nothing to do with him anymore. Bastard.
@k5blazxer: Really? A book by the original Image founders has nothing to do with Jim Lee? How does that math work, exactly?
Great interview. Robert Kirkman mixing it up with the ifanboys just works well. Like Peanut Butter and Jelly.
But I just can’t get excited for this. It might not be the right opinion, but I feel this is just fan service for the loyal readers of Image and nothing else. I can’t imagine me picking this up and getting any of this since the only Image book I read is Walking Dead.
Now if Rick was involved for this event, I’m all for it!
@TNC
Change Walking Dead to Chew, and you took the words right out of my… fingertips?
@slockhart: Hey you know what, I would like to see Tony Chu in this too!
Maybe ten years from now the next big writer could do another ‘Image United’ with the new wave of Image characters.
@Conor: Granted he was a founder, but he punked out by selling his property to DC. When Image first started it was allabout these guys working on their creations because thats what they really wanted to do. Eveen when Liefeld got kicked out he still created Youngblood. Lee did WildCats for awhile then left to do Divine Right, then did the immensly popular and long running C-23. But he made sure to get in the picture when Gen 13 took off, and once the Joe Casey version of Wildcats had some momentum, he decides to restart that universe and put out exactly one issue of that run. He also did the cover to Invincible #50 which bugged me becuase the costume he designed isnt bett er than the original, which they are going back to. On the other hand Erik Laren has always done Savage Dragon, even when he was the Publisher he always did it. That shows me that Larsen is passionate about his creations and that Lee is in it for the money and fame. I wonder if this wasnt such a high profile project would Lee even want to get involved. The guy has no passion and should not be involved with this, he forfieted that privilege when he sold out to DC.
It sucks when creators punk out.
@TNC-of course this is meant as fan service.
@k5blazer: Obviously the people involved with the project don’t feel that way.
@drake: Yeah let me rephrase that, cause of course it is fanservice.
I meant to say that: This seems to be only for people who are diehard Image fans. I’m not saying I’m not a fan of the company, but again…..I can’t see myself digging this. Which is fine, there are plenty of other Image books to try out.
@TNC-Yup, it’s meant for the ones that love those older Image characters. Kirkman and crew are trying their hardest to get new readers to give it a shot, but I’m sure the majority of people checking this out will be the old school Image fans.
@TNC and Drake
I have a feeling there will still be a lot of people jumping on because of Kirkman (just look at Haunt) and I have a feeling they’re going to be very disappointed. I can only speak for Savage Dragon, but I know he feels like a very dated character.
@Conor: True, but it was just one guy’s opinion, I will still pick up the book because I like Kirman’s work, but I wanted to get in my $.02 about Jim Lee
@k5blazer & @Conor – I am surprised he is not more involved since he probably would be the most popular artist on the project. (well aside from being hecka busy.)
I read my copy today and it was a blast. It’s pure summer blockbuster movie meets classic crossover with artwork from some of the best work from the artists ever. A real blast!
Take care,
Filip Sablik
Publisher
Top Cow Productions, Inc.
Read The Darkness/Pitt #1 for free on your iPhone from comiXology.
I’m picking this book up because the idea is just so out there….it just might work. Kirkman doesn’t hurt either.