Image at Emerald City Comicon
Image has a huge presence at this weekend's Emerald City Comicon -- here are the details and exclusives:
Image Says "Second Printing" Is Nothing But "Under Ordered" Misspelled
Have you noticed there are an awful lot of Image titles getting second printings? And third printings? I just went to my mailbox and in the last 8 days here are the sellouts/multiple printing announcements I've gotten:
Coming Attractions: March 2012: Part One [updated with intro]
I've already previewed Marvel and DC, so here are the other publishers, with titles MAYBE shipping this month!
WALKING DEAD and Terry Moore crossover
Huh, well, this is innovative. It seems Katchoo will turn into a zombie and Francine will have to hunt her down.
No, that isn't it.
INTERVIEW: Brian K. Vaughan on SAGA, LOST, Twitter and more
[Although one of the best selling comics authors of the past decade, Brian K. Vaughan keeps a low profile—you won't find him writing in his blog or posting previews on his social media platform of choice. He also tends to take big breaks from the comics format to concentrate on his high profile film and TV work. But that was until this week's debut issue of SAGA came out. Already creating buzz and selling out, the collaboration with Fiona Staples is one of a several prominent new comics this year featuring creators moving from the Big Two to the creator-owned experience. And Vaughan has been making the interview and show rounds because that's how you sell comics in this day and age.
He might not even need it. The early reviews are stunningly positive. This interview was conducted a few months ago, just as the book was being solicited, and since we hadn't talked in a while, it was a chance to catch up on a few other matters, as you'll see.]
Advance Review: "Saga" By Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
You remember Brian K. Vaughan? He used to write comics. Y:The Last Man. Ex Machina. The vastly under-appreciated Dr. Strange: The Oath. Then he left comics to write television. Some show called "Lost." Its not on anymore. Well, Vaughan is back. In style, no less. This Wednesday, his comeback project drops. Its called Saga. A double-sized issue for $2.99. And it's really, really good.
Hickman goes digital with THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS and TEST PATTERN
The other day it was announced that Jonathan Hickman was leaving FF in October, after a very successful run there. With his other Marvel work also winding down, there was mucho speculation about what this "architect" would be up to.
One thing is his new series (on sale today) THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS (with artist Nick Pitarra) which will be released digital day and date. To make ready, Hickman is also releasing TEST PATTERN, a digital anthology of his previous five collections, THE NIGHTLY NEWS, PAX ROMANA, TRANSHUMAN, A RED MASS FOR MARS, and THE RED WING, available exclusively via comiXology for $34.99. An affordable way to keep Hickman's body of work readily available for those discovering his new book? Sounds like it.
A Few Comics Worth Reading
With all the chaos and hype going on today, it sometimes comes to pass that not all good books get the attention they deserve. Here's a quick rundown of things you might not be picking up that are worthwhile. (I'm assuming you've already had someone nagging you to pick up Mark Waid's Daredevil run, so we won't get into that here.)
Ross and Hitch: "TWICE AS MUCH AS MARVEL FOR A DOLLAR LESS."
In case you haven't noticed, Image Comics is gunning for the Big Two this year, in terms of creators and concepts and now, bang for your buck. Jonathan Ross and Bryan Hitch are releasing AMERICA'S GOT POWERS in April, and the first issue will be 38 pages for $2.99, which, they point out, is a lot more story than you get with a Marvel comic.
Quote of the day, Image Expo division
Anonymous Image creator on the mood at the Image Expo. It was by all account a successful weekend if only as a pep rally, with hopes for the future and independence for creators. The crowds weren't immense, except on Saturday, but they liked what they saw.
Final Thoughts On Image Expo
There seemed to be some mixed thoughts going around about Image Expo and that seems to be best summed up by a conversation between a local retailer and a pro who'd been to a lot of shows in Oakland.
