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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Robert Kirkman Becomes Image Partner!

As reported by the New York Times earlier today, THE WALKING DEAD and INVINCIBLE's Robert Kirkman has become a corporate partner of Image Comics.

"Image Comics has been a huge part of my life for as long as it's been in existence," said Kirkman. "Being inspired by the creation of Image, I've entered into my comics career not wanting to write corporate characters as much as I've wanted to create my own. Being a partner at Image, having the chance to help run the company as well as continue to contribute strong creator-owned series to its publishing line is more than I've ever thought possible for myself. I'm very excited to have the opportunity to sit at the table across from my fellow partners, and steer the direction of comics as a whole."

Robert Kirkman began his Image Comics career in 2002 with the mini-series SUPERPATRIOT and TECHJACKET and in 2003 he debuted what would become his most famous creations, INVINCIBLE & THE WALKING DEAD. Since then he's seen much success with the Image, including having his creations turned into various forms of media such as television, statues, t-shirts and much more. This new position will have Kirkman working alongside the current Image partners, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino, to spearhead a concerted effort to restructure and strengthen Image in the coming years.

Image Publisher Eric Stephenson said, "I've known Robert since the day he submitted his first books so to see him rise this far in a relatively small amount of time has been amazing. Not only that, you'd be hard pressed to find someone more passionate about creator owned comics -- there's really no better candidate for the position."

Further information on this will be given at The Image Comics Show, Friday July 25th between 4-5 PM at the San Diego Comic Con International in room 7AB.

Friday, July 18, 2008

IMAGE COMICS COMES TO SAN DIEGO COMIC CON!

Image Comics announces its 2008 San Diego Comic Con plans!

Comic Con Intentional 2008 kicks off next week in San Diego, and Image Comics has announced its plans for the big event!

Image Comics will kick off the convention Thursday night as the primary sponsor for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's San Diego Comic Con Welcome Party at the Westgate Hotel, including an amazing gift bag including the FOUR EYES PREVIEW BOOK, an exclusive meeting of the Drink & Draw Social Club, featuring Dave Johnson, Dan Panosian, and many more special guests. In addition, Image creator Brian Posehn will be headlining the COMEDIANS OF COMEDY show at Spreckles on Saturday at 8:30 PM, with tickets available at the Image Comics booth.

This year's IMAGE COMICS SHOW (Friday, 4:00-5:00 PM, Room 7AB) will be the panel to be at, as a discussion led by THE WALKING DEAD's Robert Kirkman, YOUNGBLOOD's Rob Liefeld, TOP COW's Marc Silvestri, SAVAGE DRAGON's Erik Larsen, SHADOWLINE's Jim Valentino and SPAWN's Whilce Portacio reveals the biggest announcement Image Comics has made since its inception. The panel will be followed up by a special event held at the Image Comics booth featuring an extremely limited, San Diego Comic Con exclusive print signed by all present! The panel will also include the first word on the future of THE WALKING DEAD and just what Portacio's non-SPAWN project is!

Tori Amos will be the center of attention on Saturday, starting off with a COMIC BOOK TATTOO-centric panel (room 6B) hosted by READING COMICS author and music writer, Douglas Wolk and also features editor Rantz Hoseley, David Mack, Elizabeth Genco, Ted McKeever and Kelly Sue DeConnick. This will be followed by a signing in Autograph Area 2 limited to two hundred fans, who may receive a ticket with purchase of a COMIC BOOK TATTOO from the Image Comics pavilion.

On the con floor Image creators such as LIBERTY MEADOWS' Frank Cho, YOUNGBLOOD's Rob Liefeld, AMORY WARS & COHEED AND CAMBRIA's Claudio Sanchez, SCUD THE DISPOSABLE ASSASSIN's Rob Schrab, the crew behind Tori Amos' COMIC BOOK TATTOO, INVINCIBLE's Ryan Ottley and the entire SHADOWLINE crew will be exhibiting throughout the weekend with signings by THE WALKING DEAD's Robert Kirkman, DARK IVORY & DAWN's Joseph Michael Linsner & Eva Hopkins, I KILL GIANTS' Joe Kelly, SPECIAL FORCES' Kyle Baker, the team behind LUCHA LIBRE, COMEDIANS OF COMEDY's Brian Posehn and an very rare appearance by THE SWORD's Jonathan & Joshua Luna.

In addition, the Image booth will be the source of quite a few exclusives, including two signed & numbered prints - one for THE WALKING DEAD and another for SCUD THE DISPOSABLE ASSASSIN - that will not be made available anywhere else! Other exclusives include giveaways such as posters & bookmarks for titles such as INVINCIBLE, AMERICAN FLAGG!, RED ROCKET 7, THE NOCTURNALS and many more! Also given away will be downloads of the all new INVINCIBLE animated series in conjunction with MTV New Media!

The Image Comics Booth (#2729) can be found at Comic Con International, July 23rd to the 27th at the San Diego Convention Center.

LIMITED EDITION SIGNED & NUMBERED PRINTS

THE WALKING DEAD - Signed & numbered by Robert Kirkman - Strictly limited to 250!
SCUD THE DISPOSABLE ASSASSIN - Signed & numbered by Rob Schrab - Strictly limited to 250!

THURSDAY, JULY 24th

10:00 - 11:00 AM: Glen Brunswick (Killing Girl, Gray Area) Table 2
10:00 - 11:00 AM: Moritat (Elephantmen) Table 4
10:30 - 11:00 AM: Joe Kelly (Four Eyes, I Kill Giants) Table 1
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Hector Casanova & Harold Sipe (Screamland) Table 3
12:00 - 12:30 PM: Dan Brereton (Nocturnals) Table 1
12:00 - 3:00 PM: Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible) Table 2
2:00 - 3:00 PM: Mark Haven Britt (Full Color) Table 3
3:00 - 4:00 PM: CB Cebulski (Drain, Wonderlost) Table 3
3:00 - 4:00 PM: Claudio Sanchez (Amory Wars, Coheed & Cambria) Table 4
3:30 - 4:00 PM: Alex Grecian & Riley Rossmo (Proof) Table 1
3:30 - 4:30 PM: Steven Grant & Victor Riches (The Safest Place) Table 2
5:00 - 7:00 PM: Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon) Table 1
5:00 - 6:00 PM: Kyle Baker (Special Forces) Table 2
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Matt Fraction (Casanova) Table 2

FRIDAY, JULY 25th

SPECIAL EVENTS

THE BIG NEWS

4:00 - 5:00 PM THE IMAGE COMICS SHOW - ROOM 7AB: Featuring the biggest announcement Image Comics has made since the original seven founders formed the company! Be there as as Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible), Marc Silvestri (Witchblade), Whilce Portacio (Spawn), Rob Liefeld (Youngblood), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon) and Jim Valentino (Shadowline) get together to talk about where Image has gone and what the future holds.

5:30-7:00 PM - TOP SECRET IMAGE COMICS SPECIAL EVENT - IMAGE COMICS SIGNING AREA: In the wake of The Image Comics Show's earth-shattering news, this event will take place at the Image signing area to commemorate the big announcement with a special gathering of creators. Features an extremely limited edition, San Diego Comic Con-only print signed by all present!

PANEL

STUDIOSPACE PANEL, ROOM 3: Join Howard Chaykin (American Flagg!), Tommy Lee Edwards (1985) and Bryan Talbot (The Tale of One Bad Rat) as they discuss Image's hit STUDIO SPACE book, moderated by the book's editor and co-writer Joel Meadows.

SIGNINGS

10:00 - 11:00 AM: Joe Kelly (I Kill Giants, Four Eyes) Table 1
10:00 - 11:00 AM: Alex Grecian & Riley Rossmo (Proof) Table 2
10:00 - 12:00 AM: Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible) Table 3
10:00 - 11:00 AM: Moritat (Elephantmen) Table 4
12:00 - 1:00 PM: Dan Brereton (Nocturnals) Table 1
12:00 - 2:00 PM: Brian Posehn (Comedians of Comedy) & Gerard Duggan (Infinite Horizon) Table 2
1:00 - 3:00 PM: Joseph Michael Linsner & Eva Hopkins (Dawn, Dark Ivory) Table 4
12:30 - 1:30 PM: Kyle Baker (Special Forces) & Glen Brunswick (Killing Girl, Gray Area) Table 3
1:00 - 2:00 PM: CB Cebluski (Drain, Wonderlost) Table 1
2:00 - 3:00 PM: B. Clay Moore (Hawaiian Dick), Scott Chantler (Hawaiian Dick) and Seth Peck ('76) Table 2
2:00 - 5:00 PM: The Luna Brothers (Sword, Girls, Ultra) Table 1
2:00 - 3:00 PM: Hector Casanova & Harold Sipe (Screamland) Table 3
3:00 - 4:00 PM: Mark Haven Britt (Full Color) Table 4
3:00 - 5:00 PM: Jerry Frissen, Robert Silva & Bill (Lucha Libre) Table 2
4:00 - 5:00 PM: Rick Spears (Repo), Ivan Brandon (24Seven) Table 3
4:00 - 5:00 PM: Matt Fraction (Casanova) Andy MacDonald (Comic Book Tattoo, 24Seven) Table 4

SATURDAY, JULY 26th

SPECIAL EVENTS

THE BIG NEWS - ENCORE

11:30 - 1:30PM - TOP SECRET IMAGE COMICS SPECIAL EVENT ENCORE - IMAGE COMICS SIGNING AREA This special encore event is final chance to meet the players behind the biggest announcement Image has made since its inception and purchase the extremely limited, San Diego-only print with the first image behind this massive news!

TORI AMOS

11:30 - 12:30 PM - LIVE FROM COMICON, TORI AMOS & COMIC BOOK TATTOO - ROOM 6B: 17 years ago, history was made at Comicon, when a kid gave Neil Gaiman a tape of her music. Now, Indie music icon and multiplatinum recording artist Tori Amos comes to comicon to talk about COMIC BOOK TATTOO, the new 480 page coffee table format anthology from Image comics with over 50 stories based on songs and music from her entire discography. Tori is joined by project editor Rantz Hoseley, as well as some of the contributing creators including: David Mack, Elizabeth Genco, Ted McKeever and Kelly Sue DeConnick. Seating is limited, so be there early to hear Tori, the panel and moderator Douglas Wolk talk about the long journey that resulted in one of the most exciting comic projects of the decade!

2:00 - 4:00 PM - THE TORI AMOS SIGNING - LIMITED SIGNING - AUTOGRAPH AREA 2: Tori Amos will be signing the first 200 copies of COMIC BOOK TATTOO purchased at the Image Comics Comic Book Tattoo Booth (#2729) for this very limited signing session!

SIGNINGS

10:00 - 11:00 AM: STUDIOSPACE with Tim Bradstreet, Tommy Lee Edwards and Bryan Talbot Tables 1 & 2
10:00 - 11:00 AM: Kyle Baker (Special Forces) & Andy MacDonald (Comic Book Tattoo, 24Seven)
10:00 - 11:00 AM: Alex Grecian & Riley Rossmo (Proof) Table 3
2:00 - 6:00 PM: Luna Brothers (The Sword) Table 1
2:00 - 3:00 PM: B. Clay Moore (Hawaiian Dick), Scott Chantler (Hawaiian Dick), Seth Peck ('76) Table 2
2:00 - 3:00 PM: Rick Spears (Repo) Table 3
2:00 - 3:00 PM: Claudio Sanchez (Coheed & Cambria, Amory Wars) Table 4
3:30 - 5:30 PM: Brian Posehn (Comedians of Comedy) & Gerard Duggan (Infinite Horizon) Table 2
3:30 - 5:30 PM: Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Walking Dead) Table 3
3:30 - 4:30 PM: Moritat (Elephantmen) & Ivan Brandon (24Seven) Table 4
5:00 - 6:00 PM: Claudio Sanchez (Coheed & Cambria, Amory Wars) Table 4
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon) Table 1
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Joe Kelly (Four Eyes, I Kill Giants) & Ivan Brandon (24Seven) Table 2
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Matt Fraction (Casanova) & Glen Brunswick (Killing Girl, Gray Area) Table 3
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Hector Casanova & Harold Sipe (Screamland) Table 4

SUNDAY, JULY 27th

10:00 - 11:00 AM: Joe Kelly (Four Eyes, I Kill Giants) Table 1
10:00 - 11:00 AM: CB Cebulski (Compass) Table 2
12:00 - 1:00 PM: Dan Brereton (Nocturnals) Table 1
12:00 - 2:00 PM: Brian Posehn (Comedians of Comedy) & Gerard Duggan (Infinite Horizon) Table 2
12:00 - 1:00 PM: Claudio Sanchez (Amory Wars, Coheed & Cambria) Table 3
12:00 - 1:00 PM: Andy MacDonald (Comic Book Tattoo) Table 4
1:30 - 4:30 PM: Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible) Table 4
2:00 - 3:00 PM: Alex Grecian & Riley Rossmo (Proof) Table 1
2:00 - 3:00 PM: Rick Spears (Repo) & Ivan Brandon (24Seven) Table 3
3:00 - 4:00 PM: Matt Fraction (Casanova) Table 1

Thursday, July 17, 2008

I KILL GIANTS IS A GIANT SELL OUT!

Joe Kelly and JM Ken Niimura's down to earth fantasy epic sells out!

Ben 10 co-creator (and upcoming Amazing Spider-Man writer) Joe Kelly and industry newcomer JM Ken Niimura's I KILL GIANTS has officially sold out at the distribution level and while copies may be available at your local comic shop, a limited edition second printing is on its way to meet demand!

"Having my return to creator owned storytelling sell out so quickly is a fantastic feeling and is deeply appreciated," Kelly said. "I KILL GIANTS is a very eclectic story, and it's fantastic that it's found an audience! Ken and I are very thankful to each and every one of our readers."

I KILL GIANTS is the story of Barbara Thorson, a smart-mouthed, on the fringe, fifth grade girl with an extremely rich fantasy life in the D&D-type realm. Her fantasies are so rich that she's convinced that she has a very important mission to complete: She has to kill a giant. The story follows Barbara as her fantasies and reality collide, and both begin falling apart.

I KILL GIANTS #1 limited edition second printing, a 24-page black and white comic book from Man of Action Studios for $2.99, will be in stores this August.

Monday, July 14, 2008

STEVE NILES AND MIKE MAYHEW GO SAVAGE WITH SHADOWLINE THIS OCTOBER!

This October horror goes SAVAGE with Shadowline!

After illustrating covers with many of the best and brightest superheroes in comics, Mike Mayhew returns to interiors as 30 DAYS OF NIGHT writers Steve Niles and Dan Wickline craft a horrific tale of man's primal nature unleashed in October's SAVAGE.

"As a kid, I was always more drawn to horror comics, but I've never had the opportunity return to that as an adult," said Mayhew. "SAVAGE is my chance to take everything I loved so much about the genre and run with it. The story Steve conceived with Dan hits every note I was hungry to hit and despite this being Jeff Frank's debut, he knocks the script out of park with Dan's help. Everyone involved knows and loves horror like nobody's business."

With SAVAGE, the creators aim to hit every aspect of the horror genre - from madmen, murderers and most of all, monsters - as the series culminates an all-out war between bigfoot and a clan of werewolves.

Shadowline Publisher Jim Valentino added, "We've been looking for a good horror story for a while and Steve, Jeff and Dan have given us one we can (ahem!) sink our teeth into. And Mike's artwork is nothing short of superlative! This is one to read under the covers...with a flashlight."

SAVAGE #1, a 32-page full color comic book for $3.50, will go on sale October 29th.

Friday, July 11, 2008

IAN CHURCHILL COVERS JACK STAFF!

Fan favorite artist Ian Churchill draws cover to October's JACK STAFF #21!

This October Britian's number one superhero, JACK STAFF, gets covered by fellow Englishman and artist of DC Comics' TITANS, Ian Churchill.

"It's a bit worrying when you let someone else play with your toys," said series creator Paul Grist. "But Ian nailed it . Certainly get's my vote for best Jack Staff cover of 2008!"

The award-winning superhero series centers around Castletown, the epicenter for all superhuman activity in the United Kingdom and its greatest hero, the titular JACK STAFF. Churchill's cover reveals his unique interepetations of our hero and two of his fellow combatants, Becky Burdock and Alfred Chinard. In addition, Churchill's team up with Grist marks a special two-part story as JACK STAFF and company take on the murderous menace of the Muddy Man.

JACK STAFF #21, a 32-page page comic book for $3.50, will be in stores October 8th.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

VALENTINO VIGNETTES!

New VIGNETTES collection to contain entire run of Jim Valentino's auto-bio work!

Before Jim Valentino made headlines as he and seven other artists broke from Marvel to found Image, he was widely praised for his autobio work, which will now be collected under one cover in September's VIGNETTES: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT.

"Finally releasing this new definitive edition of VIGNETTES feels like one part pride, one part humility," Valentino said. "Seriously, VIGNETTES reads like a life lived at 100 MPH with everything from sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll through parenting, the struggles of the young artist and everything in between. I'm thrilled to have it all contained under one cover."

VIGNETTES: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT collects Valentino's entire body of autobio work, including the award-winning stories from VALENTINO, his most recent work in DRAWING FROM LIFE and never-before-seen material! In addition, for the first time ever, these stories will be collected in chronological order, detailing Valentino's rise through the comix underground to the Image explosion and the very recent past.

VIGNETTES: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT TP (JUL082221), a 144-page black and white tradepaperback for $14.99, will be in stores September 24th.

Monday, July 7, 2008

WALKING DEAD #50 SELLS OUT WITH HIGHEST EVER PRINT RUN!

WALKING DEAD #50 sells out with all-time high orders; second printing on its way!

In less than a day after release, WALKING DEAD #50 has sold out at the distribution level despite a record high print run, but a second printing is on the way.

"Like INVINCIBLE #50, we printed more than we've ever printed before to ensure there were more than enough to meet demand," said series writer Robert Kirkman. "However, this one sold out even faster and the subsequent orders really blew us away. We're going to print even more than usual for the second printing in an effort to make sure everyone gets their copies. With 50 behind us, Charlie and I have our sights set on issue 100, so this sell out and record sales on our most recent issue are excellent signs of the health of this series and how easy it will be to meet our new goal... and exceed it!"

WALKING DEAD #50 marked a major turning point in the series, with a long-time character taking center stage after a devastating attack on the prison base. Now a new era begins with our cast once again on the road. To celebrate the sell out, the second printing will feature an all-new cover by series artist Charlie Adlard.

WALKING DEAD #50 2nd printing, a 32-page black and white comic book for $2.99, is due in stores this July.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

YOUNGBLOOD COLLECTED IN TIME FOR ALL-NEW STORYLINE!

YOUNGBLOOD collection due out in August, with new-issue available shortly thereafter!

The all-new, all-different YOUNGBLOOD from the creative team of GØDLAND's Joe Casey and CONNER HAWKE's Derec Donovan gets collected this July in time for issue five's jumping-on point!

"FOCUS TESTED is the opening salvo of the new YOUNGBLOOD assault that Derec and I have planned," Casey said. "The stories in this collection are just the beginning of a much larger epic that, for fans of the YOUNGBLOOD concept, should give them exactly what they've been wanting for years. It's pop superheroics on a grand scale, not to mention media and celebrity worship at its most obnoxious. All this, plus the grand soap opera and the big explosions that superhero team books do so well. This one's got it all!"

YOUNGBLOOD: FOCUS TESTED not only features the first four issues of the new series, but is backed up by a plethora of extras including an introduction by INVINCIBLE and WALKING DEAD's Robert Kirkman, an interview with Joe Casey detailing the process behind Youngblood, an exclusive feature in which Casey and creator Rob Liefeld discuss their favorite comics and Casey's never-before-seen first pro sale - a Youngblood script circa 1995.

Donovan added, "Where YOUNGBLOOD goes after the trade has me more excited about the book than I've ever been. An old YOUNGBLOOD favorite, Televillain, returns in full-on serial killer mode, gunning after the a brand new YOUNGBLOOD team I can't wait to draw. All this plus I can't believe who we're bringing back from The Golden Age! It's a good time to be a YOUNGBLOOD fan."

YOUNGBLOOD: FOCUS TESTED TPB (MAR082088), a 104-page full color TPB for $9.99, will be on sale August 3rd, 2008.

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