This rather charming and visually infectious series (thanks to artist Armand Villavert) from Image centres on a school that trains would-be supervillains. It’s a fun, all-ages read with moments of drama done well, and is actually the only Image series I’m currently reading regularly. Writer Mark Andrew Smith (The Amazing Joy Buzzards) has generously put up the entire first issue for free on Tumblr. Yes, it’s a bit awkward to read, but if you start here, scroll up to read the next few pages, then back down again and hit Newer on the bottom right, you’ll get through it fine. It’s worth your time, especially when you get to the last few pages and the juicy secret contained within.
Oh, and the TPB collecting the first 6 issues was released this week if you’d like to read more, which I suggest you do.
Granted, I only read the first issue of this intriguing undersea adventure/mystery tale from Image, but I was very impressed. The Trade Paperback collecting all 3 issues will be released in January.
THE VAULT TRADE OPENS IN JANUARY
Collecting the sold out 3-issue miniseries
Debuting in the Summer of 2011, THE VAULT miniseries received critical acclaim and quickly sold out of each issue within days of their release. Fans, looking to catch up on THE VAULT, won’t have to wait much longer. Image Comics announces that THE VAULT VOL. 1 TP,written by Sam Sarkar (Caliber: First Canon of Justice), illustrated by Garrie Gastonny (Warren Ellis’ Supergod) and edited by Dave Elliott will be on sale January 18th, 2012.
THE VAULT, recently optioned for a feature film adaptation from Johnny Depp’s Infinitum Nihil and Graham King’s GK Films, is about a small team of treasure hunters, struggling to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits Sable Island, the “Graveyard of the North Atlantic.” Equipped with all the latest technology, the scientists believe they are prepared against all of nature’s fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash.
THE VAULT has garnered rave attention from retailers, reviewers and fans:
“THE VAULT lays the groundwork for an exciting heist gone horribly wrong. You don’t want to miss out on this deep-sea adventure!” – Fangoria
“Sam Sarkar and Garrie Gastonny are giving us something very genuine and very scary with this book, and it’s an event I personally haven’t seen the likes of in a long time.” – Comic Attack
“The comic delivers the goods in terms of horror.” – Famous Monsters of Filmland
“I enjoyed this enough that I know I am all in for a follow-up series. If you like slasher flicks or science fiction horror then this is the series for you.” – Comic List
“The Vault is a must read on my list so make it a part of yours… NOW!” – Decapitated Dan Royer (decapitateddan.com)
“What a gem of a book! I can totally recommend The Vault. Get it now.” – Weekly Comic Book Review
“You can judge a book by its cover, because The Vault is a hell of a read, promising even more hell to come.” – Comic Book Bin
THE VAULT VOL. 1 TP, a 96-page full-color paperback, will be on sale in stores January 18, 2012 for $9.99 and is available to order in the November 2011 edition of Diamond Previews (NOV110420, ISBN: 978-1-60706-485-5). For more information, please visitwww.facebook.com/thevaultcomic or www.twitter.com/thevaultcomic.
There’s not much to say about this, except that McKeever’s new mini-series kicks off in January. He’s an acquired taste, to be sure, but he’s quite the storyteller.
TED MCKEEVER GOES MONDO
Indie Legend Publishes New Miniseries with Image Comics in January
This January, Ted McKeever will be introducing the world to MONDO, his new three issue miniseries from Shadowline and Image Comics, in all its raging glory!
Though McKeever has worked on titles for Marvel and DC, including Spiderman and Doom Patrol, he is best known for his independent, creator-owned works such as TRANSIT, EDDY CURRENT, METROPOL, and the recent META 4. McKeever has been a cult favorite in the comics industry since the 1980’s, an uncompromising one man comics team, consistently creating smart and uniquely twisted comics with a gritty, subliminal quality to their black and white inked pages. His work is often executed in mixed media, creating layers as rich and dirty as the stories themselves, and McKeever’s new MONDO will be no different.
“Compared to my other work, I think fans will easily be able to tell this is my work,” said McKeever. “And I have definitely not held back at all in this one!”
“McKeever kicks it out again with mind-blowing imagery, wild characters and multi-layered concepts,” says Shadowline publisher Jim Valentino. “He never disappoints and MONDO will be counted as one of his best yet.”
MONDO begins with Catfish’s daily grind of “enhancing” poultry, but all that comes to a halt when he is accidentally tripped up by a loose chicken, causing him to fall victim to his own process. What proportions of his that were once human are now beyond anything normal! Add villainous corporate and military big wigs, a roller-skating weapon-toting chick named Kitten Kaboodle, a gang of tattooed babies, an enormous beach monster… and you have Ted McKeever’s MONDO!
MONDO #1 (NOV110366), a 32-page Golden Age format black and white comic book for $3.99, will be on sale in stores and digital platforms on January 4, and is available for order now in the November issue of Previews.
Doug TenNapel is the creator of cartoons Earthworm Jim, and Catscratch and he’s also a great creator of consistently entertaining OGNs such as Creature Tech, and Power Up. His latest project – the awesomely titled Ratfist is a webcomic that’s coming to print.
176 DAYS OF RATFIST
Image Comics Publishes Doug TenNapel’s Quirky Webcomic as Graphic Novel
Earlier this year, Earthworm Jim creator, Doug TenNapel, stepped into the world of Webcomics when he began sharing RATFIST, his latest oddball action comic, online for all to see. Now for the first time ever in print, Image Comics will be publishing RATFIST in December.
Originally conceived of as a possible character that might be featured on Cartoon Network, RATFIST became a daily-updated Webcomic instead! With coloring help from Katherine Garner, RATFIST stars a vigilante-in-tights, satirizing comics, politics, philosophy, and even TENNAPEL himself! Those that followed along with the daily online RATFIST schedule and new readers alike will be pleased to find that the printed collection will not only include the entirety of TenNapel’s RATFIST story, but also feature a forward written by MST3K/RiffTraxx’s Michael J. Nelson, and fantastic pinups by Ryan Ottley (INVINCIBLE), Skottie Young (Wizard of Oz, Spiderman), Christopher Hastings (Dr. McNinja) and Ethan Nicolle (Axe Cop)!
“I’m so thrilled that this can join the line up of books I’ve brought to Image,” said TenNapel. “I hope those that missed it when I was publishing online get to pick it up now in print!”
Other graphic novels by TenNapel that were previously published by Image Comics include FLINK, TOMMYSAURUS REX, CREATURE TECH, GEAR, IRON WEST, EARTHBOY JACOBUS, BLACK CHERRY, MONSTER ZOO, and most recently POWER UP.
RATFIST TP (OCT110463, ISBN: 978-1-60706-478-7), a 176-page full-color humorous super hero graphic novel for $19.99, will be on sale in stores December 14, and is available for order now in the October issue of Previews.
Image Comics has now joined the digital comics race. Awesome. Most of their comics will be released digitally the same day as print, and the first batch of new goodies starts on Wednesday. Details below.
GRAPHICLY TO PROVIDE DIGITAL COMICS ON ALL PLATFORMS INCLUDING FACEBOOK
Graphicly and Image Comics Announce Digital Publishing Partnership for Walking Dead, Invincible, Savage Dragon and more!
Graphicly, a social networking and digital distribution platform for the visual entertainment industry, announced today a partnership with Image Comics, the third largest comic book publisher in the US and the number one creator owned content publisher, to digitally supply and share their entire publishing catalog, including such hits as Walking Dead, Invincible, Savage Dragon, Chew and many more, to be released same day as print on Graphicly.
Working with Graphicly, Image Comics will be expanding their reach on all iOS and Android platforms including Barnes & Noble’s NOOKcolor and Amazon’s Kindle Fire. As the only comic book application on Facebook, Graphicly will be making the world of Image Comics available to this growing social audience. Image’s Facebook page will become a browseable comic store where potential readers can preview and purchase the wares while never having to leave the page. Fans can now like a new comic and share it on a friend’s wall!
“20 years ago, Image Comics changed the comic book industry and we’re excited that they’ve chosen Graphicly to help them innovate comics in the digital age.” said Micah Baldwin, CEO of Graphicly. “Image’s focus on creator owned content , making them THE cutting edge publisher for creator owned titles, is perfectly aligned with Graphicly’s philosophy of putting the creator first. We are excited to join them in becoming the leading cutting edge digital solution for creators.”
“For years, print comics have been dependent on a single distribution network, so it’s interesting to be a position to utilize a variety of different digital platforms,” said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. “As digital comics continue to become a greater concern, it’s important to embrace as many different options as possible.”
Graphicly is bringing the content to the communities rather forcing the people to come to them and is dedicated to providing visual entertainment for the communities that love stories. Image Comics is a venue where creators can publish their material while maintaining creative control and the rights to the stories and characters they create, as creator-owned properties. Together Graphicly and Image are spreading the idea of the importance of good stories by world class creators.
At Broken Frontier is a preview of the next issue of this highly entertaining spy series from writer Nathan Edmondson and Tonci Zonjic. Keep your eyes peeled out for the issue on shelves next Wednesday.
Image have been putting out so many widely praised new series lately that I find myself Trade waiting instead of ordering a bunch of new #1s. Moriarty is on my Trade list, as it’s had nothing but thumbs up all round, and has an intriguing premise (as detailed in the trailer below.)
Image Plots Collected Edition of Moriarty
Moriarty Gets Collected in September
MORIARTY is an exciting new science fiction adventure series from Image Comics that follows the misdeeds of the original supervillain, Professor James Moriarty, arch nemesis of Sherlock Holmes. From the grimy streets of London to the haunting British countryside, underground lairs and superscience labs, Professor Moriarty must forge has way through a world without Sherlock.
This September, Image Comics proudly presents the first trade paperback volume of MORIARTY, entitled MORIARTY: THE DARK CHAMBER, collecting the first four super-sized issues of the ongoing series. MORIARTY is written by Daniel Corey (PROPHET), with art by Anthony Diecidue (Stan Lee’s TIME JUMPER), colors by Perry Freeze and letters and design by Dave Lanphear.
It is 20 years after the death of Sherlock Holmes, and Professor James Moriarty is a lost man. MI5 blackmails Moriarty into finding Holmes’ long-lost brother, Mycroft, but what at first appears to be a routine case leads to a web of intrigue that involves a psychic box and its creator, a woman from Moriarty’s past, as well as a new villain that threatens to be greater than Moriarty ever was! See how Moriarty deals with love, loss, war and death rays in the critically acclaimed Image Comics series MORIARTY.
Here’s what reviewers and influential comic creators are saying about MORIARTY:
“MORIARTY is a book that should be mentioned in the same breath as THE WALKING DEAD, CHEW and HACK/SLASH when it comes to the best comics coming out of Image.” — Horror Haven Reviews
“I love MORIARTY. Most of all, I loved how in a world without Holmes, that it’s only in the mystery, the unanswered questions, that life for Sherlock’s arch enemy can begin again. Insightful, exciting and cool – with gritty, atmospheric art to match.” — Jim Krueger (EARTH X, JUSTICE, FOOTSOLDIERS)
“MORIARTY: THE DARK CHAMBER is irresistible. Professor James Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes’ arch-nemesis, drawn from retirement and off on his own death-defying adventure? It’s one of those simple, perfect ideas you kick yourself for not thinking of first, and Corey and Diecidue carry it off in fine style.” — Scott Tipton (ILLYRIA: HAUNTED, STAR TREK: INFESTATION)
“Even with characters that lead a pretty sad existence, there is a drive for something greater or at least a sense of discovery. It moves the piece along at a thrilling pace that respects, but expands upon Sir Arthur Canon Doyle’s fiction in a way that is thrilling and smart.” — The Daily Blam!
“Corey spins a wonderful world of conspiracy, despair, and even science fiction.” — IGN
“…this is a perfect example of a great collaboration of story and artist.” — Newsarama
“[MORIARTY] takes an intriguing look at that relationship between good and evil.” — USA Today
“…this is a damn good comic book.” — Bloody-Disgusting.com
MORIARTY: THE DARK CHAMBER, VOL. 1 TP, a 128-page full-color paperback, will be on sale in stores September 14th for $14.99 and is available to order in the July 2011 edition of Diamond Previews (JUL110470, ISBN: 978-1-60706-450-3). For more information, please visit www.professorjamesmoriarty.com and www.facebook.com/daniel.corey.
This looks kinda cool, from the creator of Kane, and Jack Staff. Not that I’ve read much of either but this sounds like an entertaining combination of superheroics and drama.
HIS NAME IS MUD
Acclaimed Cartoonist Paul Grist Brings New Superhero to Image Comics in Mudman
After self-publishing for much of the ’90s, Paul Grist brought two critically acclaimed original titles to Image Comics in 2002: the crime drama KANE and then the eclectic superhero series JACK STAFF. Recently, Grist has been using his sparse, signature style to develop a new superhero that will be introduced to the world this November with the debut of MUDMAN.
“This is my ‘Back to Basics’ superhero comic,” explained Grist. “It’s not about alien menaces or cosmic powers (though they may pop up once in a while); it’s all about growing up and finding your way in the world, and how the decisions that you make can affect others. In a way, it’s probably the most autobiographical comic I’ve ever done. But with added mud.”
“Paul has been one of my favorite creators since writer Robert Loren Fleming turned me onto KANE back in the ’90s,” said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. “His style looks deceptively simple, but he’s a master of his craft, capable of some of the cleverest storytelling in comics. It’s a big thrill for me that Paul’s part of Image, and I can’t wait to see what he does with MUDMAN.”
In MUDMAN #1, the new school year is just beginning, and it isn’t starting off well for teenager Owen Craig. His day just keeps going from bad to worse: He gets run over, he gets detention, and then he learns his father has actually been taken hostage by armed bank robbers. But that’s only the beginning of his problems. Now his body appears to be turning into mud!
Now up at Broken Frontier is my interview with Sam Sarkar, writer of the new Image mini-series, The Vault. The first issue is out tomorrow and is definitely worth picking up. It’s a smart underwater mystery with a good mix of science and the supernatural, and it looks great too, with art by his Caliber: First Canon of Justice collaborator, Garrie Gastonny.
Sarkar, with his background in comics and film is an interesting guy. The interview can be read here and if you’d like to see Sarkar, you can do so at a signing tomorrow. Details for that are under the pretty pictures.
MEET SAM SARKAR, CREATOR AND WRITER OF THE VAULT
On July 27th, starting at 7:00 P.M., Golden Apple Comics will present an autograph signing with Sam Sarkar, for the release of the new comic book from Image Comics, THE VAULT.
THE VAULT is about a small team of treasure hunters, struggling to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits Sable Island, the “Graveyard of the North Atlantic.” Equipped with all the latest technology, the scientists believe they are prepared against all of nature’s fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash.
“THE VAULT is kind of a contemporary Pandora’s Box story,” explained creator and writer, Sam Sarkar. “Though it appears on the surface to be a pretty straightforward story, it has most of its mythology buried deeply. It gets uncovered both literally and figuratively as the pit gets excavated.”
THE VAULT issue #1 autograph event will take place in Los Angeles at Golden Apple Comics on July 27th, 2011 from 7-9 P.M. at 7018 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. For more information, please call 323-658-6047.
Image Comics imprint Shadowline released 2 new upcoming series today. The killer premise of 27 (a conspiracy asking why so many famous musicians die at 27) gets collected, and a sequel, and a teaser image annoucning an October releasing project, presumably called Xenoholics.
27: SECOND SET ROCKS
Soule and Podesta Return To the Stage With 27 Backup Story & Second Miniseries
Image Comics and Shadowline recently announced that 27, the first story arc of the sell out miniseries by writer Charles Soule (Strongman) and artist Renzo Podesta, will be followed by a second story arc. The second arc, 27: SECOND SET, will include more mysteries of rock and roll history, more of those talented and famous musicians that become legend, and more untimely deaths!
27: FIRST SET has wrapped up and is already on sale. This first collection includes issues 1-4 as well as a new 12-page backup story called “Crossroad Blues.”
“We’re thrilled to bring readers more of this excellent comic,” said Shadowline Publisher and Image founder Jim Valentino. “Everything about this book, from Scott Forbe’s gorgeous covers, Renzo Podesta’s edgy interior art, and Charles Soule’s dark twists about the mysteries of rock and roll legend spells great storytelling. This book has it all!”
Not only does the first volume include new material, but as a show of appreciation to fans, Charles Soule hid a puzzle contest within the pages of the first miniseries story arc. The first person to solve the puzzle will win a plane ticket to this year’s San Diego Comic Con!
“While I know a ton of people have been working on it, I may have made it too tricky, because no one has actually solved the puzzle yet!” explained Soule. “So, I decided to change up the rules just a bit – after all, I do want someone to win. I put the answer to the puzzle into the 27: FIRST SET trade – it’s right there in the back, in plain English. The solution involves doing a certain thing, and anyone who picks up the trade and does that thing within a week after the book hits shelves will be entered into a drawing for the plane ticket. It’s open to everyone, and I hope plenty of people give it a shot!”
27: FIRST SET TP (APR110417), a 136-page Golden Age size full color trade paperback, is on sale now for $16.99. 27: SECOND SET #1 (JUL110437), a 32 page full color comic book for $3.99, is available to order in the July edition of the Diamond Previews catalog, and goes on sale in September. For more information about Charles Soule, the 27 series, and the puzzle contest, visit http://charlessoule.wordpress.com or follow him on Twitter @charlessoule.
Official press release below about Sonny Liew’s pretty anthology set for an August release from Image Comics.
GRIME AND WONDER ON THE STREETS OF MALINKY ROBOT
Image Comics Collects Sonny Liew’s Inspired Short Stories
The captivating world and quirky characters detailed by award-winning artist Sonny Liew’s (LIQUID CITY VOL. 1 and 2, My Faith in Frankie, Wonderland, Sense and Sensibility) loose and emotive watercolor-drenched pencil work are set to charm readers in August, with the release of MALINKY ROBOT: COLLECTED STORIES AND OTHER BITS from Image Comics.
A recipient of the Xeric Award and Best Science Fiction Comic Album award at the Utopiales International SF Festival, MALINKY ROBOT blends dystopic sci-fi and indie sensibilities into a uniquely oddball world, where street urchins Atari and Oliver scrounge, steal bicycles and watch Giant Robot movies.
Liew says, “The stories of MALINKY ROBOT have always been the ones that I feel most personally connected with, from their rhythms and structure, to the character and architectural designs. It’s very exciting to see them collected together in this book.”
MALINKY ROBOT not only includes short stories like “Stinky Fish Blues” and “Karakuri” from the LIQUID CITY and Flight anthologies, but also a gallery of Liew’s concept and sketch art, along with pinups by incredible artists such as Mike Allred, Roger Langridge and Skottie Young. Writer Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Secret Six, Deadpool, Wonder Woman) described the collection as “[a] book so full of wonders and treasures it feels like you should need a pirate’s map to find it. A stunningly gorgeous mix of urban fantasy and charming adventure that I plan to read until the spine falls off.”
MALINKY ROBOT: COLLECTED STORIES AND OTHER BITS TP (JUN110503), a 128-page full color collection of short sequential art stories retailing for $16.99, will be available at a comic store near you on August 3, 2011. It is available for pre-orders from Diamond Comics, and from retailers such as Amazon.For more information, please visit www.malinkyrobot.com.
If you haven’t ordered this 3 ish mini yet, I suggest that you do. It’s a well crafted adventure from Image and is released next month. Official details below about a new contest on The Vault’s Facebook page.
WIN A $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD WHEN YOU SHARE THE VAULT
If you’re a Facebook fan of THE VAULT, you could easily win a $100 Amazon gift card. All you have to do is help spread the word on www.facebook.com/TheVaultComic that THE VAULT #1, goes on sale July 27th. If it sounds too easy, it’s because it is.
2) To be entered in the drawing, make sure to both comment and share on your Facebook wall a post from The Vault’s Facebook wall.
3) You can enter in the drawing, up to four times, by both commenting and sharing on your Facebook wall four separate posts on The Vault’s Facebook wall.
4) On June 29th, a winner will be randomly selected from all of the entered drawings.
THE VAULT, from writer Sam Sarkar (Caliber: First Canon of Justice) and artist Garrie Gastonny (Warren Ellis’ Supergod, Caliber), is about a small team of treasure hunters struggling to excavate a dangerous and legendary treasure pit before a massive storm hits. They believe are prepared against nature’s fury, but nothing can prepare them for what they are about to unleash.
THE VAULT #1 (1 of 3), a 32-page full color comic book from IMAGE COMICS, will be on sale in stores July 27th for $3.50 and is available to order in the June 2011 edition of Diamond Previews (Diamond Order Code: JUN110501).
It’s all Image! Yep, these 2 comics are worthy of your time and a quick review, and both are out now.
Who Is Jake Ellis? #4. The penultimate issue of this series that is just dying to be made into a film is just as entertaining as the ones before it. Writer Nathan Edmondson (The Light, Olympus) and artist Tonci Zonjic (Daredevil) started things very mysteriously with the first issue and have been peeling away the layers like craftsmen with each subsequent issue. Traditionally, debut issues sell very well, driven by curiosity, but then drop off with the instalments that follow. This, however, is a series that rewards loyalty and it’s quite refreshing to be caught in its grip. Jon Moore and Jake Ellis (who always appears in monochrome) is part of former CIA analyst Moore’s mind. The pair’s aim in this ish is to break in to the facility in Morocco that birthed their unusual partnership, when Ellis reveals that he has had memories – and emotions. Just when you think this series has unveiled all the surprises it needs, out pops another one. Great stuff, and Zonjic’s art is always gorgeous to look at. His superb use of colour and simple lines is like nothing else on the stands at the moment, though I guess Francesca Francavilla’s art comes close. Who Is Jake Ellis? is also currently being serialized in Clint magazine, and shirts are now available too! Cool. See a preview of this issue here.
Shinku #1. I remember seeing black and white preview pages for this ages ago and being eager for the finished product. Now, this creator owned series from writer Ron Marz and artist Lee Moder is out. Part 1 of Throne of Blood, there’s certainly plenty of the latter in these pages. If you like your vampire action more in the throbbing vein of Kill Bill and less like Twilight, grab this. It starts with Davis, a newcomer to Tokyo who gets lucky at a nightclub, when a (very forward) woman bares her…fangs. Davis is rescued by a motorcyclist in a cool crimson suit (yep, Shinku) and is opened up to her tough secret world of vamp killing by bloody means. Within her cool hideout Shinku reveals that she’s the last of her samurai clan (complete with a nifty sepia flashback) before we see her nemesis who has had enough of her actions. This is a mature comic, so be warned. It’s a simple story, of the kind that’s been told many times – outsider becomes embroiled in an ancient war, yet it does work here and Marz and Moder’s bold take is worthy of attention.
comicbookjesus 