THE WICKED + THE DIVINE—gone in a snap

The posh new series draws early worshippers and sells out instantly

The first issue of the feverishly anticipated new series from Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, THE WICKED + THE DIVINE, has sold out instantly at the distributor level and is being rushed to a second printing.

Hot off their hugely successful run on Young Avengers, writer Kieron Gillen and artist Jamie McKelvie have returned to Image Comics with THE WICKED + THE DIVINE. Every ninety years, twelve gods are reincarnated on Earth. Two years later, they are dead. During their brief lifespan the gods are revered and worshipped as celebrities. In the modern day, that means interviews with the press and sold-out life-changing concerts full of their adoring fans. With colorist Matt Wilson and letterer Clayton Cowles by their side, Gillen and McKelvie have created a pop comic like no other, as the raves on the #wicdiv hashtag on Twitter and the instant sell-out of the first issue proves.

The enthusiasm for the new series has built momentum and inspired fellow artist Bryan Lee O’Malley (Scott Pilgrim) to create a variant cover for issue #1 and artist Chip Zdarsky (SEX CRIMINALS) to sign on to create a variant cover for issue #2.

Select early praise for THE WICKED + THE DIVINE:
"I read The Wicked + The Divine last night, and no matter how high your expectations are for it, it's better." —Scott Snyder, Batman, American Vampire, WYTCHES

“So if you’re looking for a new favourite comic, tell your store you want The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie.” —Warren Ellis, TREES, SUPREME: BLUE ROSE

"I have read the first issue of this book and I am so happy to report to you that it is quite wonderful. This book, like Young Avengers last year, in such a lovely step forward from an already strong creative team." —Brian Michael Bendis, Powers, All-New X-Men, United States of Murder Inc.

“The Wicked + The Divine is about art, creativity and living to the fullest, but mainly about death.” —USA Today

“McKelvie and colorist Matthew Wilson create slick, glossy, hyper-real comics.” —Mental Floss

“This is pop comics. It’s that song that comes on the radio that you’ll have stuck in your head for days. The beat is good. The lyrics hint at something bigger and you can’t help but wonder. Although what you are about to read is a work of fiction, it should never the less be played at maximum volume.” —Newsarama

“An absolutely breathtaking book that sets up its world perfectly while leaving just enough mysteries to remain intrigued. Buy with all your heart!” —Multiversity Comics

“The Wicked + The Divine is among the strongest Image debuts of recent memory. This book is absolutely worth checking out this week.” —IGN

THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #1 has completely sold out at the distributor level, but may still be available in comic stores. It is 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, Android, and Google Play.

Image Comics is pleased to announce that this first issue will be going back to print to meet customer demand. The second printing of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #1 (Diamond Code MAY148118) will release on 7/16.

THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #2 will hit shelves on 7/16 and can be pre-ordered with Diamond Code MAY140745.