Image Comics paraded some of their hottest talent to talk about the past, present and future of the publisher. Discussion included the successful CHEW, Morning Glories, Skullkickers series, announcements for an upcoming murder mystery series and the release of a new summer wester mini-series. The artists and writers had lots to say and showed why Image Comics is becoming a bigger force in the comics industry.
The panel start with John Layman, writer of CHEW. If you're not reading this book, I personally recommend you get into it. A few issues into the 4th story arc, CHEW will be including some great adventures this year. Issue #18 is almost in the can and will be followed up by Issue #27. No, you're math is not off, I said #27. The boys in charge (Layman and Rob Guillroy) will jump a year ahead in the series as a thanks to their issue-to-issue followers. Layman attributed the success of the comic to the fans and he hopes they'll love the issue jump wihc may only appear in print (not even digital). What plot will we see in #27? Layman says "People licking psychedelic frogs." *(If you read regularly, you'll get it. If you don't read the series, you should - or just email me and i'll tell you).
Jim Zubkavich talked about his title, Skullkickers. Skullkickers is a "funny and foolish, buddy cop meets Conan the Barbarian" kind of story. There is a new trade coming March 9th. The next story arc, 5 Funerals and a Bucket of Blood, will include fairies, adventures in the capital city, and even more fun. There will be a small break before the next story starts later this year.
Writer Curtis Wiebe talked about two projects. The first was the Intrepids, that he works on with artist Scott Kowalchuk. It's a sort of Goonies meets James Bond with a cybernetic bear; Intrepids has also been called a cross between the X-Men and Scooby-Do. Either way, it is another fun Image title and the two guys are just getting started, so check it out. Wiebe's second project is with Riley Rossmo (who illustrates Cowboy Ninja Viking), called Green Wake. This new murder-mystery/horror series will take place in the town of Green Wake that has a dark, hidden past. People wake up in the town without knowing how or why. The story won't be as secrets-crazy as say, the TV show Lost (secrets will be revealed and then questions answered). It will be dark and definitely for mature readers - perhaps read it with all the lights on.
Next up is a new story that just headed to a second printing for it's debut issue, Lil' Depressed Boy. Sina Grace, the artist on the title, talked about the story of a ragdoll boy who has fallen for a girl somewhat out of his reach, but that won't stop him. Crossing romance and music, this series talks to all those out there who have had that big crush before. Each issue includes several musical reference and concerts (wouldn't it be cool to get a soundtrack to go with each issue?). The second issue is already out and the third is headed to the printers. Grace promises zombies and a quest to learn the love interest's name in the upcoming #3. On a personal note, I'm reading this series (as of this weekend) and totally sold so far. This happened with me and Image's CHEW series and now I read that story monthly.
Ron Marz (famous for work on several projects across several publishers, pick your favorite for reference and google him) is bringing a big project to Image Comics, he's reviving the old western stories. Dead Lands will be a 4-part mini-series based on the role-playing game of the same name. As editor for the project, Marz is bringing talent from all corners of the industry, including Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex). This will be a true return to western stories, no super powers or science fiction. There will be some reference to major characters from the game, so the book will be accessible to the all readers without having prior knowledge of the game. Westers are making a big comeback in film, television, and comics this year and this series will be a major part of that return. The series starts in June and will run monthly through September. Get it this summer.
As I mentioned before I'm a CHEW-fanatic (didn't I say fanatic before, no? Oh...). I took the chance after the panel to quiz John Layman a little more about the comic, mostly on the possibility of a tv deal for that series. He couldn't confirm any details but said it is in the works with serious intent. The same people who worked on getting the Walking Dead and the recently-announced Powers tv shows to the small screen are working on CHEW!
Additionally, the panel included Nick Spencer talking about the success of the Morning Glories series and that the story is progressing there. Also, Jay Faerber talked about his current projects briefly.
The Image talent spent a lot of time during the panel laughing about actually meeting deadlines and getting issues out to their fans on a monthly basis. It was brought up that this was the practice of the industry in the past times and Image deserves applause for doing it the right way. Image has grown over the years from the Spawn and Savage Dragon comics days up to their current successes like the Walking Dead, Powers, and CHEW and with the young talent showcased at the panel, their success should last a long time.
Martin Bright, 3/5/11
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