2012 is primed to be a big year for Image Comics. In addition to it being their 20th anniversary, they recently announced Image Expo, a con focused on creator owned work. But in terms of comic books they’ll be publishing, Image Comics publisher Eric Stephenson posted a glimpse of what’s to come from Image in 2012 on his blog in a post titled A Future Apart. Now, I’m not sure if people actually click the links to the sources we post here, but in this case, this is a link worth clicking.
Stephenson makes the point, in an amusing fashion, that with most of the comics industry abuzz about the recently announced Avengers Vs. X-Men from Marvel Comics and/or the recent rumors of new Watchmen material from DC Comics, Image Comics is primed to be bringing new comics to the world from some of the industries top creators such as Ed Brubaker, Brian K. Vaughan, Jonathan Hickman, Robert Kirkman and others.
In the post, we get glimpses of art from the upcoming titles, some we’ve seen such as Brubaker and Phillips Fatale, which was announced at the New York Comic Con as well as Hell Yeah, which we spoke to writer Joe Keatinge about a few weeks ago. But the post also gives us glimpses as some other new material coming from Image…
New material such as Saga from Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, which was announced at the San Diego Comic Con, and Stephenson shares some art which gives us a taste of what’s to come:
Also posted was Manhattan Projects, the next series from Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra, who just recently wrapped up The Red Wing. This next project has the classic Hickman look to it, and considering how strong Red Wing was, I’m instantly excited for Manhattan Projects from this Image alone:
With 20 years behind them, Image Comics, which got its start by introducing new and innovative material into the marketplace is clearly continuing that tradition into 2012 and as a reader and a fan, I applaud Stephenson for making that point. Sure, I’m going to be reading Avengers Vs. X-Men, because I’m also a Marvel and X-Men fan, but when I make recommendations or look for something new to tell people to check out, it’s books like the recently launched Mud Man from Paul Grist, or our book of the month Who Is Jake Ellis? and in 2012, I know it will be Saga, Hell Yeah and many others.