New Image Comics Series Debut to Overwhelming Response

November 14, 2013

ALEX + ADA, UMBRAL, and MANIFEST DESTINY mark a banner week for fantasy and science fiction comics, and creator-owned comics


Three debut series from Image Comics, two fantasy and one science-fiction, were met with immediate enthusiasm from readers and received critical acclaim from the press. Among the three was the first issue of ALEX + ADA from Jonathan Luna (GIRLS, THE SWORD) and Sarah Vaughn (Sparkshooter), a science-fiction drama set in the near future about a man who forms a unique bond with an android. In light of its success, ALEX + ADA has been expanded from 12 issues to a 15-issue series.

Adding to the excitement, UMBRAL #1, a brand new dark fantasy adventure series from Antony Johnston (WASTELAND, Daredevil) and Christopher Mitten (WASTELAND, Batman) has enchanted fans. This story of a thief accidentally discovering the beginnings of a demonic invasion blends paranoia, magic, and dark prophecies.

Chris Dingess (Being Human) and up-and-coming artist Matthew Roberts’ MANIFEST DESTINY has sold out, as well. The newest genre-blending series from Skybound explores Lewis and Clark’s adventures in an untamed Western frontier where monsters lurk in the shadows. These new series instantly picked up momentum and found a strong readership.

Praise for ALEX + ADA #1:

“I'm hard pressed to imagine a reader that wouldn't be intrigued enough to come back for issue two to see exactly where Luna and Vaughn plan to take this story. On the whole Alex + Ada #1 is simply an excellent start to an exciting new book.” --Kelly Thompson, Comic Book Resources

“Luna and Vaughan have taken what could have been a derivative story about androids and the humans who love them and turned it into a promising debut.” --Melissa Grey, IGN

Praise for UMBRAL #1:

“The end result is exactly the combination of dreamworld and darkness readers would expect from a nightmare, giving the world a very distinct look and feel. Who needs the map in the front to establish a world when the art is this impressive?” --Marykate Jasper, Comic Book Resources

“Experimenting with genre conventions from Arthurian lore and Lovecraft, Johnson, Mitten, and Rauch have created a whole new fantasy world that is just ripe for stories.” --James Johnston, Multiversity Comics

Praise for MANIFEST DESTINY #1:

“Chris Dingess, Matthew Roberts and Owen Gieni have produced an opening issue that will pique your interest and get you invested in our heroes. This is the kind of trailblazing you won't want to miss.” --David Pepose, Newsarama

“What I liked the best is the unknown, and what lies ahead… I am anxious to see what happens when this creative team is given a chance to unleash the strange and dangerous beasts that even Lewis and Clark themselves could not have seen coming… Go pick up this issue, and see for yourself. It's well worth a read. Trust me.” --Jeremy James, Geeked Out Nation

ALEX + ADA #1, UMBRAL #1, and MANIFEST DESTINY #1 have all sold out at the distributor level, but may still be available in comic stores, and are currently available digitally on the Image Comics website (imagecomics.com) and the official Image Comics iOS app, as well as on Comixology on the web (comixology.com), iOS, and Android.

Image Comics is pleased to announce that all three titles will be going back to print to meet customer demand. The second printing of ALEX + ADA #1 (Diamond Code OCT138100) and MANIFEST DESTINY #1 (Diamond Code OCT138101) will release on 12/11, while the second printing of UMBRAL #1 (Diamond Code OCT138102) will release on 12/18.

ALEX + ADA #2 releases 12/11 and will be available for pre-order with Diamond Code OCT130591. MANIFEST DESTINY #2 releases 12/11 and will be available for pre-order with Diamond Code OCT130608. UMBRAL #2 releases 12/18 and will be available for pre-order with Diamond Code OCT130630.