STEPHENSON ANNOUNCES NEW PROJECTS, CREATORS AT IMAGE EXPO

On July 2 at Image Expo in San Francisco, Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson revealed the much-anticipated new projects from the independent comics publisher, as well as the identites of Image Expo’s “surprise guests.” A crowd of more than 500 Image Expo attendees in the Lam Research Theater at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts were the first to see art from new titles and learn the identity of the latest creators who are coming to Image, two of whom are forgoing working exclusively as architects on the House that Jack Built to building their own homes.

Two of the new projects announced are by creators who have current titles with Image Comics. VELVET is a dark and evocative twist on the spy genre featuring a female protagonist by Image Expo guest Ed Brubaker (FATALE) and hisCaptain America: The Winter Soldie rcollaborator Steve Epting. J. Michael Straczynski (TEN GRAND) continues to expand his Joe’s Comics mini-imprint with two former Marvel ICON titles, rescued from oblivion with new issues from Image Comics: DREAM POLICE, drawn by Sid Kotian, and THE BOOK OF LOST SOULS, drawn by Colleen Doran. With these additions, all of Straczynski’s creator-owned titles are now published by Image Comics under the Joe’s Comics line.

The surprise guests announced by Stephenson included another current Image creator. Matt Fraction, creator of SATELLITE SAM with Howard Chaykin (BLACK KISS II) and SEX CRIMINALS with Chip Zdarsky, announced ODY-C, a psychedelic science fiction comic created with artist Christian Ward (INFINITE VACATION). A special edition of SATELLITE SAM #1 is among the Image Expo exclusives, and the regular printing will land in stores on Wednesday. The first issue of SEX CRIMINALS is scheduled to go on sale in September.

Stephenson also revealed the return of Rick Remender to Image Comics after three years of writing exclusively as one of Marvel’s “Architects.” Remender is bringing two new projects to the publisher: BLACK SCIENCE, a classic science fiction story about scientists adrift between alien worlds, created with artist Matteo Scalera, and DEADLY CLASS, a 1980s flashback set in a school for budding assassins, created with artist Wesley Craig.

Another formerly exclusive Marvel writer and Architect coming to Image is surprise guest Jason Aaron, who is collaborating with fellow surprise guest artist Jason Latour (B.P.R.D.) on the series SOUTHERN BASTARDS.

Mark Millar joined Image Expo via video from Scotland to announce his new book with Duncan Fagredo, MPH.

Stephenson capped off the morning’s announcements of new projects with the reveal that Image Comics will be publishing the official comic book adaptation of Darren Aronofksy’s upcoming filmNoah, which recounts the story of the Biblical patriarch, drawn by Niko Henrichon (Pride of Baghdad).