Image Comics

As of right now, we have 23 days left until the end of the year, and while kids everywhere are waiting for Christmas, what I’m really looking forward to is 2012. I don’t think I’ve been so anxious for a year to end.

That’s not because 2011 has been a bad year. Quite the contrary: The last 11 or so months have been pretty incredible for Image Comics. But 2012 is going to be even better.

You know how I know?

Because I just re-read the first issues of FATALE by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips and PROPHET by Brandon Graham & Simon Roy and they get even better with each read.

Because I just read the first issue of a fantastic new series nobody even knows about. It’s written by one of the most talented up-and-coming writers in comics, and the artist he’s working with? Well. Seriously, you’re going to be amazed.

Because I’ve been emailing back and forth with a major talent about another new book that has yet to be announced, looking at logos, discussing the particulars of the announcement. Silently gushing that I’m actually talking to a creator whose work has had a huge impact on my own love of comics.

Because promoter Jimmy Jay just shared the names of some additional guests for Image Expo, and brought me up to date on some potential programming that is sure to get a lot of people very excited.

Because Erik Larsen just told me he’s wrapping up the pencils for his FOURTH issue of SUPREME today – and we haven’t even solicited his first one.

Because I’ve been looking over some advertising materials for next year that are quite unlike anything we’ve done before.

Because I’m putting together a contract for a new series that is going to team up a writer I really admire with a young artist I’ve been itching to see really cut loose on something awesome for a while now.

And more than anything else, because we are all – from the writers and artists we work with, to the staff here at Image Central – buzzing with so much creativity that I just can’t wait to share the experience with the rest of the world.

Get ready for the best work by big names and big names to be, on books they own. If you are a fan: You are in for one hell of a year. If you are a retailer: This is the future your customers are looking for, not a snake eating its own tail for diminishing returns every month.

Get ready for 2012.

-e.s.