Eric Stephenson: "The sky is not falling"
Image publisher Eric Stephenson delivered yesterday's lunch presentation for Image Comics at the Diamond Retailer Summit. Instead of announcing any new projects, he used the time to deliver a speech about Image's history and its present, and to urge retailers not to let readers craving something new slip away to digital by not giving Image's ambitious new slate a chance.
Monolith finally gets a trade…from Image
For years, writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray have been running a "Get MONOLITH A Trade!" campaign to get their 12-issue maxiseries from 2004 a collection. Although the book had a dedicated following—especially for fans of Phil Winslade's amazing art—given that its sales were modest, that wasn't the most likely outcome. However, on Facebook it's revealed that rights have finally reverted and a collection is in the works from Image. Or rather—two collections, both in an oversized European hardcover album, like The Pro deluxe hardcover.
FATALE is also a hit
Yes yes, reprint pr is a dime a dozen, but from Image comes word that FATALE #1 the first issue of the Image book by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips is going back to press for a fifth printing. The first printing came out in January, so that's a printing a month. Issue #4 is currently out, and issues #2 and #3 have also been reprinted. Does this just mean tiny print runs? Not enough preorders? Maybe. It could also mean that a very good book keeps finding new readers.
KING CITY is a hit
Brandon Graham's KING CITY is something of a poster child for the fusion comics generation—begun as a "OEL manga" it was rescued from contract limbo and returned to lead the vanguard of Image's newly invigorated and eclectic line. But it's more than just a symbol—people actually seem to be buying it.
Emerald kibbles and news bits: Stokoe, Harris, Parker, Moen, Casey etc etc
Emerald City was mostly Marvel and DC lite, so the announcements are very indie/creator focused. And here they are, with a corresponding Pants Peeing Index ®, as in how likely this news is to make you pee your pants in excitement on a scale of 1-5.
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.
