Image Comics

THE WALKING DEAD is a best-selling comic, became an acclaimed television series on AMC, and now Robert Kirkman’s creation expands its pop culture empire as it becomes the first Image Comics title to be available on Apple’s iBooks.

Readers wanting a digital reading experience won’t have to wait to get the whole story. All fifteen collections of the ongoing comics series are available now in the iBooks store, priced at $9.99 each, except for volume one Days Gone Bye, which is $8.99

The collections of THE WALKING DEAD occupied more than half of the top 25 slots in Diamond Comics’ list of top-selling graphic novels of 2011. The debut of Image Comics’ best-selling title on iBooks is part of the publisher’s overall commitment to releasing their creator-owned properties in a variety of media. Besides being sold in retail stores, individual issues of Image comics are available on multiple electronic platforms.

The publisher expects to release more titles on iBooks in the coming weeks, beginning with John Layman and Rob Guillory’s Eisner-winning New York Times bestselling series CHEW.

GLORY, the second title in Image Comics’ hotly anticipated relaunch of their Extreme line, has sold out of issue #23 at the distribution level, before it even arrives on store shelves on February 15. Image has immediately gone back to press and a second printing of GLORY #23 (DEC118223), with a new cover by Ross Campbell, will be in stores on the same day as GLORY #24, March 14.

GLORY #23 marks writer Joe Keatinge’s and artist Ross Campbell’s bold revival of the Rob Liefeld-created superheroine. Glory has returned to Earth -- this time, not to save it but to live as a human among humans. And there are two young women there who have been waiting for her.

Keatinge and Campbell bring a euro-comic-meets-indie sensibility to the superhero comic. This sensibility is most visible in the art by Campbell, who is known for his realistic and varied depictions of women in his books Wet Moon and Shadoweyes, but also present in the inclusion of new characters Riley and Gloria, through whom the reader gets to know the god-like warrior princess.

"Seeing such a different take on the superhero genre succeed has me thrilled," said writer Keatinge. "Glory is an atypical heroine and I'm very thankful there's such demand to see what we do with her."

   
The programming ranges from large event panels, like those with Saga creators Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples and The Walking Dead superstar Robert Kirkman, to small, intimate workshops with the Image Comics founders that will require advance registration to attend. Panels on topics such as women in comics, writing and art, and comics on TV will offer cogent conversation; and workshops on retailing, combating censorship, writing, and design will engage with attendees’ creativity and passion for comics. And, of course, there will be an Image Comics 20th Anniversary panel that will reunite seven of Image Comics’ founders to talk about the future of comics and reminisce about their decision to leave work-for-hire behind for independent creator ownership.
   
A full list of programming is available at the Image Expo website.

Top Cow Productions, Inc. is proud to announce that the winner of the Pilot Season 2011 event is Jeremy Haun’s and Jason Hurley's THE BEAUTY.

THE BEAUTY beat out seven other competitors to take the Pilot Season crown in the most competitive voting period in the history of Pilot Season. This year saw the adoption of elimination-style voting as titles competed over three rounds to determine the overall winner. At the deadline, nearly one million votes total had been cast by fans for the Pilot Season 2011 titles. Other Pilot Season 2011 contenders included THEORY OF EVERYTHING by Dan Casey, Nick Nantell and Thomas Nachlik, ANONYMOUS by Matt Hawkins, Alan McElroy and Michael Montenat, MISDIRECTION by Filip Sablik and Chris DiBari, THE TEST by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Rahsan Ekedal, SERAPH by Lance Briggs, Phil Hester and Jose Luis, FLESHDIGGER by Shannon Eric Denton, Brad Keene and Alex Sanchez and CITY OF REFUGE by Morgan Davis Foehl and Dennis Calero.

In the world of THE BEAUTY, a new STD spreads across the world, but this is a disease you want to catch. It makes all infected people unspeakably attractive. But after the world's face-lift, two detectives discover some nasty, undesirable side effects. Will the world decide to stay beautiful at an unspeakable cost, or resign themselves to an ordinary-looking life?

With THE BEAUTY having been declared the official winner, the creative team will now work with Top Cow's editorial department to plan out the full series.

"Now that we've won we're going to be able to finish the story. I'm really excited to do that. It's exciting to be co-writing and drawing something like this," said Haun. "The process is surprisingly fast and a hell of a lot of fun. The trick of it is going to be balancing work on The Beauty with my regular art duties on The Darkness monthly book. Luckily, they're both books that I absolutely love. It also doesn't hurt that I just love to work. As crazy as it may seem, drawing two books is kind of my idea of fun.”

"Winning Pilot Season is easily the biggest moment of my career so far, and I couldn't be happier. It was a hard-fought battle, but thanks to all of the fans of The Beauty, we came out on top," exclaimed Hurley. "I can't wait to get back to work on the book. We've got a lot of exciting stuff planned for the future of The Beauty, and since we've won Pilot Season, we'll be able to share all of that with our fans. More than anything, I just want to send a huge thank you out to all of our family, friends, and fans for their support throughout the entire voting process. It's thanks to them that we're able to continue The Beauty."

This PILOT SEASON, the fans came out in full force, crashing the first poll several times for the chance to vote for their favorite 2011 Pilot Season one-shots.  Pilot Season is an annual initiative Top Cow began in 2007, inspired by a concept from the television industry: a number of “pilot issues” are submitted for consideration to be “picked up for a season,” except instead of TV executives deciding their fates, it's the fans!

Previous winners of Pilot Season include: CYBLADE, VELOCITY, TWILIGHT GUARDIAN, GENIUS and 39 MINUTES.  The CYBLADE, VELOCITY and TWILIGHT GUARDIAN series have been released and can currently be found at your local comic book shop or through Top Cow’s digital distribution partners. 39 MINUTES and GENIUS are currently in production and  will be given release dates soon. All eight of the 2011 competitors are available at your local comic shop or through Top Cow’s digital distribution partners including comiXology, Graphicly, and iVerse. A trade paperback collecting all eight titles is planned for release in March 2012 and will carry a price of $19.99.

In ALPHA GIRL, Judith is the last woman left standing when a cosmetic company’s new product turns the world’s women -- and only women -- into man-eating zombies. Retailers pursued the first issue of the new Image Comics series with equal voracity, as ALPHA GIRL #1 sold out in the week leading up to its release.

"We sold out? Finally, I have something in common with Jay-Z!” exclaimed writer Jean-Paul Bonjour upon hearing the news. “In all seriousness though, I am so stoked for everyone to see Alpha Girl, and so appreciative of the retailer support."

"Wow! I've been in this business since 1998 and I've never been involved with a sell out,” added artist Robert Love. “I work with the best people that had a solid vision that made this possible.”

ALPHA GIRL will continue Judith’s quest to rescue her little brother from the ravenous horde, keep her status as the last uninfected woman on earth, and quite possibly save the world as well with issue #2 (JAN120575), in stores on March 14.

The creators of ALPHA GIRL are celebrating the launch of their new series with a party and books signing at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles on February 2, featuring cocktail mistresses Alie and Georgia, Sean Patton, sketch group Diani and Devine, DJ Douggpound, Steve Agee, and Margaret Cho. Tickets are available at NerdMelt.

IMAGE EXPO, the one-of-a-kind celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Image Comics and showcasing creator-owned comics, has announced that Ed Brubaker, writer of FATALE, will be the latest independent comics star to be added the impressive list of special guests. At Image Expo for a limited appearance on Saturday, February 25, Brubaker will be joining the Image Comics partners Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino, Image founders Rob Liefeld and Whilce Portacio, and a who's who of other creator-owned comics stars!

Brubaker will be part of a panel on writing comics on Saturday at 12 p.m., where he and fellow writers Steve Seagle, Joe Casey, Jonathan Hickman, John Layman, Nick Spencer, and Brian K. Vaughan will discuss the art of crafting scripts and stories.

FATALE, Image Comics' hit new ongoing series drawn by Sean Phillips and colored by Dave Stewart, has been a runaway best-seller, with issue one selling out multiple printings and issue two getting a reprint before it even hits stores.

Previously announced guests include:

Joe Casey (Ben 10, BUTCHER BAKER, THE RIGHTEOUS MAKER; HAUNT)
Jay Faerber (Ringer, DYNAMO 5, NEAR DEATH)
Jonathan Hickman (THE NIGHTLY NEWS, THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS)
Ryan Ottley (INVINCIBLE)
Fiona Staples (SAGA)
Richard Starkings (Comicraft, ELEPHANTMEN)
Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Runaways, SAGA)

IMAGE EXPO, a three-day celebration of creator-owned comics happening at the Oakland Convention Center, is Northern California's premier comic con experience in 2012. Berkeley-based Image Comics will be filling the demand for a 2012 Bay Area comic book convention that arose when WonderCon announced their temporary relocation to Anaheim, California. The three-day event takes place at the Oakland Convention Center in the heart of the bustling nightlife and restaurant center of downtown Oakland, CA on February 24-25-26.

Experience the creativity of the men and women making the best creator owned comics in America at this one-of-a-kind celebration commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Image Comics!

To purchase tickets and find more information about the show, visit www.imagecomicexpo.com.

ABOUT ED BRUBAKER
Ed Brubaker is one of the most acclaimed writers in comics, having won six Best Writer awards, between the Eisners, the Harveys, and most recently, the 2011 Scream Award. With Sean Phillips, he has created Sleeper, Incognito, and Criminal, all of which have been optioned for film. His epic run on Captain America for Marvel has been one of the best-selling comics of the 21st century, with his "Death of Captain America" storyline, garnering international headlines.

FATALE, the critically lauded horror crime noir by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, continues its overwhelming popularity as its much-anticipated second issue has sold out at the distribution level before it is even in stores. FATALE #1 also sold out, despite a generous overprinting, and a second printing of that issue — which also has sold out — will be on the shelves on the same day that FATALE #2 hits shelves, February 1. FATALE #2 has also gone back to press, and its second printing will be in stores on February 22.

FATALE tells the story of Nicolas Lash, a modern-day reporter who stumbles on a secret that leads him down the darkest path imaginable… to a seductive woman named Jo. She’s been on the run since 1935, entangled with a mobster who may be a monstrous immortal demon. As the stories of all the doomed men who have encountered Jo rise to the surface, Lash realizes that he too is caught in a deadly web. In addition to a riveting epic that blends noir and horror, each issue of FATALE also includes an essay on the history of horror of by renowned literary historian Jess Nevins.

Reviews for FATALE #1 have hailed it as another superlative work by the creative team of Brubaker and Phillips.

“FATALE is just as good as you were hoping it might be...” writes Weekly Comic Book Review. “Brubaker and Phillips can do no wrong.”

“FATALE is dark, sexy, discomforting, and above all, one hell of a read,” proclaims Multiversity. “Brubaker and Phillips have proven themselves to be two of the strongest collaborators in the industry time and time again.”

And Trouble with Comics writes, “FATALE #1 is exactly the sort of comic readers need; an engrossing story, superbly illustrated, sharply written and with enough substance and ancillary material to justify the cover price.”

FATALE #1 and #2, 32-page full-color noir horror comic books priced at $3.50 each, are on sale from February 1 until supplies run out. A third printing of FATALE #1 (NOV118214) and a second printing of FATALE #2 (NOV118215) are available to order now, and will go on sale February 22.

MUDMAN #1-2 Go Back to Press

Readers wanting to catch up on MUDMAN, Paul Grist’s unique take on the superhero, will now get their chance. The first two issues of a story Grist describes as “all about growing up and finding your way in the world, and how the decisions that you make can affect others” sold out.  But now new printings of MUDMAN #1 (DEC118139) and MUDMAN #2 (DEC118140) will be available at the same time MUDMAN #3 (NOV110463) hits the stands on Wednesday, February 14. In addition, MUDMAN #1’s second printing will feature a brand new cover by Grist and the cover of MUDMAN #2 will have new coloring.

Like the hero of Grist’s beloved series JACK STAFF, MUDMAN’s Owen Craig is a distinctly British superhero, but in an entirely different way. An unsure teen in an English seaside town, Owen discovers that he’s different. His body is turning to mud, and he must learn to control it before he gets stuck in his tiny hometown in a way he never anticipated.

“Even after producing amazing work over the course of almost 20 years, Paul Grist remains one of comics’ best kept secrets,” said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. “MUDMAN is just the latest example of Paul's wonderfully unique sensibilities, and following the rave reviews the early issues have received, we want to this is something new readers can discover at any time.”

MUDMAN is a full-color comic book series that reviewers have called “free of manufactured angst,” “great fun” and “not to be missed.” It is released monthly, for $3.50 per issue, and is also available through digital platforms.

Brandon Graham and Simon Roy's Prophet Relaunch Sells Out Before Release Date

Berkeley, CA – 16 January 2011 - Brandon Graham and Simon Roy's brilliant re-imagining of Rob Liefeld's PROPHET doesn't hit stores until Wednesday, but it's already sold out at the distribution level today. Image has announced a second printing of PROPHET #21 is being rushed to press as back orders for the first issue of the Extreme relaunch continue to grow.

Kicking off an all-new era for Rob Liefeld's Extreme titles, PROPHET #21 opens with John Prophet awakening from cryosleep in the distant future on an Earth that has been inhabited by alien settlers. His mission is simple: Re-start the human empire. Critically acclaimed KING CITY creator Brandon Graham heads up the visionary new creative team on PROPHET, with up and coming artist Simon Roy (JAN'S ATOMIC HEART) providing the breathtaking visuals. The first issue features a painted cover by Russ Manning Award winner Marian Churchland (BEAST, ELEPHANTMEN), plus a variant cover by Rob Liefeld. The second printing cover will feature an all-new image by Roy.

"This is one of those situations where I hate to say something as glib as 'We told you so,' but in the nicest way possible: We did," said Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson. "There's been review after glowing review, along with rousing endorsements from the likes of Warren Ellis – it's not a secret Brandon and Simon have turned in a brilliant first issue. It's always nice to be able to say orders on a book have continued to climb post-FOC, but personally, I think it's better to actually have books on the stands.

"We're going back to press on PROPHET #21 to help retailers grow their orders on this excellent new series, but I'd recommend taking a second look at orders on issue #22 and GLORY #23, as well. PROPHET only gets better from here, and for it's just the tip of the Extreme iceberg."

Added Graham: "I'm really looking forward to being able to do all the barbarian science fiction ideas we've got planned for this series. The freedom Rob and Eric are giving us to take this character and run off the board with it has been fantastic."

PROPHET #21 (NOV110358), a 32-page full-color comic book for $2.99, is on sale in stores and digital platforms this Wednesday, January 18, while supplies last. The second printing of PROPHET #21 (NOV118136) is now available for reorder and will be back in stores the week before PROPHET #22 (DEC110566) hits on February 15.

Joe Keatinge and Andre Szmanowicz Drag Superheroes Into the 21st Century

Berkeley, CA – 6 January 2011 –  The future is now as Eisner and Harvey award-winner Joe Keatinge and ELEPHANTMEN's Andre Szymanowicz debut the last generation of superheroes in the new ongoing series HELL YEAH.

Twenty years ago, the world was rocked by the emergence of real-life superheroes. Sports and entertainment industries collapsed overnight as people who can run across the planet and punch through walls changed the world forever. A new global culture formed around these bigger-than-life beings and now the generation raised in its wake must fight to find a place in this brave new world! By pairing the energy and excitement of the original Image superheroes with modern, innovative storytelling, Keatinge and Szymanowicz have crafted a modern superhero epic that could only begin on Image's 20th anniversary.

"HELL YEAH exists because Image Comics exists," explained Keatinge. "I read superhero comics my whole life, but when Image Comics debuted, it made me realize all the rules and restrictions I saw in other superhero comics didn't have to exist. Anything could happen. You could kill lead characters in first issues. Obliterate long-standing villains in a page turn. They could be in different tone than what's normally presented by the diversity shown in anything from YOUNGBLOOD to CASUAL HEROES. They didn't have to be noble, they didn't have to maintain the same status quo. It was turned into a genre where the term 'impossible' didn't exist. Due to all this my imagination went into over drive and after twenty years of percolating in my brain, HELL YEAH was born."

"I've been having a ball drawing HELL YEAH and watching how these characters develop, and at the same time its just a great blend of mainstream and indie comics coming together," added Szymanowicz. "On one hand they are just like how I was at this age: aimless, going to rock shows and trying to find someone to date. Then there's the side of it where they are in this superhero world and can sorta kick somebody's ass (or get their own handed to them) from time to time."

HELL YEAH begins with Ben Day, a college student who finds out versions of himself are being murdered throughout the Multiverse. He must determine where his life diverged from his other selves and just why these crimes have taken the interest of even the world's greatest super-celebrities. Keatinge and Szmanowicz build a sweeping world with a massive cast of characters, a world that threatens to destroy Ben's very existence.

"Nothing excites me more than raw, undiluted creativity, and HELL YEAH delivers that in spades," said Image Publisher Eric Stephenson. "Joe and Andre are dragging superheroes kicking, screaming and spitting blood into a brave new world where the impossible is possible, nothing is sacred and no one is safe. HELL YEAH, indeed."

HELL YEAH #1 (JAN120501), an 32-page full-color superhero comic book with no ads for $2.99, will be on sale in stores and digital platforms on March 7 and is available for order in the January issue of Previews. A preview of the first issue of HELL YEAH will be featured at the end of John Layman and Rob Guillory's CHEW #23 on January 18th.