Category Archives: Random

Image Expo 2014: Williamson’s New Series a Real Nailbiter

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Did you know that more serial killers have been born in Buckaroo, Oregon than any other city in the world?

Joshua Williamson teams up with artist Mike Henderson to bring readers a serial killer mystery they won’t be able to tear their eyes away from this May from Image Comics.

Since 1969, Buckaroo, Oregon has been the birthplace for sixteen serial killers and FBI criminal profiler Charles Kohl aims to uncover why. But just as Kohl begins to close in on understanding the truth behind why this small town seems to breed some of the vilest human beings America has ever seen, he goes missing. Enter trusted friend and NSA agent Nicholas Finch who must race against the clock to find his friend and piece together the rest of the mystery…before anyone else gets hurt.

Williamson delved deep into research about serial killers, both real and fictional, pulling inspiration from the Zodiac killer, Jeffrey Dahmer, and the characters in films like Se7en, Silence of the Lambs, and Psycho.

We talk a lot of the families of the victims, but what about the families of the killers. That’s what Nailbiter is about. The people who have to deal with finding out someone they love is a murderer. Like how Twin Peaks shines a spotlight on a small town after Laura Palmer’s death, Nailbiter does the same but shows a small town after finding out a bunch of horrible killers are from there.

Henderson added:

Josh and I had been working on Masks & Mobsters together for over a year when he pitched the idea of Nailbiter to me and it was an easy sell. We both wanted to create something new and expansive and I was drawn in by the eccentric cast of characters, which took on a new life when I started designing them.

The process for bringing Nailbiter to life is an ongoing collaborative correspondence. “With each issue Mike and I text and chat about the plot, the pacing, the horror beats, and really try to get the most out of every page,” Williamson revealed. “But at the same time, once we get past the layout stage, Mike cuts loose, and brings the energy and excitement the book needs.”

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Image Expo 2014: Low, A New Aquatic Science-Fiction/Fantasy Epic

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Frequent collaborators Rick Remender and artist Greg Tocchini will bring readers on another high-octane science fiction adventure, this time to the lowest depths of Earth after it has been ravaged by the sun’s radiation.

Low is set in the distant future, after humanity has relocated to radiation-shielded cities below the sea and the surface of the planet has become a scorched uninhabitable wasteland. A probe has returned with information on a possible alternative planet for humans, but it has landed on the Earth’s surface. A few brave representatives from the warring human clans venture out to retrieve it and the hopeful news it bears.

More than just a science fiction story, Low touches on the human condition, but in an unconventional way.

Remender explained:

Low explores what happens to groups of humans who are holding out hope for a solution when one is quite unlikely. It’s an examination of how quickly our ideals shift when we’re forced to make pragmatic choices for survival. But at its core is an examination of how one person’s optimism in the face of all of this hopelessness can potentially change everything for the better.

The concept for the art on Low was born out of one image. Tocchini added:

When Rick Remender asked me what I wanted to do for our new project, I made a drawing of an astronaut removing her space suit in a curved setting. And that was it. Everything I wanted and the way I imagined it was in that drawing. And that was our first ‘Big Bang’. The look of the whole Low universe came from that drawing.

Low is a new, ongoing science-fiction action series coming to Image Comics in 2014.

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Image Expo 2014: Brandon Graham’s 8House, A Series of Science-Fiction Miniseries

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In 2014, Brandon Graham will team up with four different creators to bring a series of science-fiction/fantasy miniseries set in a world ruled by eight houses to life.

The first of the series will be 8House: Kiem, written by Graham and drawn by Xurxo Penalta and follows a soldier who must project her mind into the body of her dead twin in order to fight monsters on a distant comet.

The second of the series is titled 8House: Arclight, written by Graham and featuring art by Marian Churchland. Arclight will bring readers the chilling story of a high-ranking lady of one of the houses who has her mind trapped in a monster’s body. She will soon learn that the monster trapped in her body has taken over her old life in her absence.

The last of the series will be 8House: Mirror, and will be written by Emma Ríos and drawn by Hwei Lim. 8House: Mirror will examine what it means to be “human” and promises to take readers on an ironic space opera battle between self-absorbed humans intent on their own survival and noble monsters striving to save their worlds.

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Image Expo 2014: Casanova Quinn Returns!

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In 2014, Matt Fraction, Fábio Moon, and Gabriel Bá team up with author Michael Chabon to bring the adventures of Casanova Quinn back with Casanova Vol. 4: Acedia.

Casanova escaped the complicated and stressful life of a dimension-hopping, identity-shifting, sexually voracious killing machine and we last saw him wandering out of the wreckage of a UFO that landed in the Hollywood Hills.

It’s our Los Angeles. It’s our Earth. And he remembers absolutely nothing of his past.

In a release Fraction said:

There has literally never been a better jumping-on point for new readers. Our main character has no idea what’s happened in the other Casanova books either… If that weren’t enough, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon joins series co-creator Gabriel Bá to create a dazzling array of backup stories that explore the worlds—and the people—Casanova left behind.

The Casanova series has roots with Image and the publisher has released previous volumes.

Casanova Vol. 4: Acedia picks up where Casanova Vol. 3: Avarita left readers hanging and will continue the science fiction series with Image Comics in 2014.

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Image Expo 2014: In the Forthcoming Airboy, James Robinson and Greg Hinkle Jump into the World of Comics

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James Robinson and Greg Hinkle decide to go on an adventure and bring back the now public domain Airboy series of 1940s fame. Created by Robinson and Hinkle and starring, well, Robinson and Hinkle, Airboy is the story of two comic book creators determined to breathe new life into a series that, while once wildly successful, had fallen into obscurity. This will be Hinkle’s debut at Image Comics.

Robinson and Hinkle’s story, although taking inspiration from real sources, is fictional. “

Robinson said in a release:

Honestly, in reality Eric [Stephenson] didn’t come to me with Airboy, I conceived the whole thing with me in it and all the drinking, drugs, and sex and took the idea to him. There was never any intended Airboy relaunch. It was all made up by me.

A humorous blend of fiction and reality (and a healthy dose of embellishment) Airboy begins the renewed journey of a character much beloved at one point, but forgotten today.

Robinson added:

Oh and our characters are quite like they’re depicted in the comic, including our weak wills, depravity, and cowardice.

Image Comics Eric Stephenson himself even makes a cameo appearance in the story. He added:

As the writer of Starman, James is one of comics’ preeminent writers, and when he first started talking to us about doing more creator-owned work at Image, I was thrilled. Saviors has been fantastic, obviously, but that in no way prepared me for the absolute insanity of Airboy—and I mean that in the absolute best way possible. What James and Greg have come up with here is nothing short of inspired mayhem.”

Airboy is a new ongoing semi-autobiographical series, inspired by the original Airboy comic series, coming to Image Comics in 2014.

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Image Expo 2014: Bitch Planet Promises to be Both Campy and Kick-Ass

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In 2014, Kelly Sue DeConnick and artist Valentine De Landro are bringing the Women in Prison trope to outer space in the new ongoing science-fiction series, Bitch Planet. Sure to be a campy, kick-ass adventure, Bitch Planet is the story of five leading ladies ready to bust out of their prison cells.

DeConnick admitted the tricky dilemma she set up for herself in wanting to work with the Women in Prison trope but still honor feminism.

I have a profound and abiding love for exploitation films, but as a feminist, I also find many (if not most) of them deeply problematic—for reasons that are both obvious and that I can’t expound on without sounding like an academic paper. These are two WILDLY mixed feelings. And I love mixed feelings. It happens that mixed feelings are the perfect soil composition for fiction.

A science-fiction take on the Women in Prison exploitation feature, Bitch Planet follows five prisoners on an all-female penal planet, ready to make their escape by way of a gladiatorial exhibition against a team of visiting male prisoners. DeConnick summed Bitch Planet up with, “there are five women, all ridiculous and real, and all very different. One shouldn’t be there. The other four are unrepentant and guilty as Hell.”

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Image Expo 2014: Forthcoming C.O.W.L. Features the First Superhero Labor Union

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This May, Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel, and Rod Reis take readers back to 1960s Chicago, in a time when the once-celebrated superhero labor union C.O.W.L. struggles to maintain their public image and regain the confidence of the people.

A rise in “super powered” individuals dates back to the closing days of World War II after the deployment of the atomic bomb. In response, Geoffrey Warner (then known as The Grey Raven) spearheaded the campaign to bring heroes together in Chicago…and struck a contract with the city for the heroes’ services. But while C.O.W.L. once stood as a beacon of hope against an epidemic of organized crime and a loose “brotherhood” of villains, the organization is now in a position where it must prove its worth to an ever more disillusioned public…while overcoming great threats from both inside and outside its offices.

Although Geoffrey, aka The Grey Raven is the character responsible for first organizing the heroes under one banner, C.O.W.L., he’s not the only character readers will get to know. “

In a release, Siegel explained:

While Geoffrey is definitely a major player, both within C.O.W.L and within the story, the book is very much an ensemble piece, allowing us to explore C.O.W.L. from a number of different viewpoints. These characters range from some of the “top tier” heroes, to members of the Investigations and Patrol Divisions. We’ve also got spouses, reporters, Chicago Police Detectives, jailers, and City Hall.

The concept for C.O.W.L. has been marinating with Higgins for quite some time. Its first appearance was in his college film, The League. “

Higgins said in the same release:

As someone who loves history, comics, and crime fiction, 1960s Chicago was always the perfect era for C.O.W.L. In fact, it’s what got me to take the idea of organized superheroes seriously. Between the politics and labor unions in Chicago, and the rise of Marvel Comics, the early ’60s are one of my favorite periods in American History.

Reis added:

With this I project tried to play around a little with references for comics and illustration. Stuff like ’80s graphic novels, noir and ’60s illustration, to create a fun and exciting way to tell the story.

Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel, and Rod Reis’s C.O.W.L. is projected to debut in May 2014 from Image Comics.

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Marvel’s Summer Event Original Sin! We Have the Details.

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Original Sin teaser imageMarvel has announced their summer event, Original Sin! The eight part series comes courtesy of writer Jason Aaron and artist Mike Deodato Jr.

On the moon, the dead body of Uatu, the Watcher is discovered. His home destroyed. Looted of its valuable alien technology. Now, the manhunt is on. And the biggest heroes of the Marvel Universe – Captain America, Iron Man, Wolverine, Black Widow, and more are on the hunt for his murderer.

But no one is ready for the secret knowledge the Watcher held. Secrets that will shake the Marvel Universe and its heroes to their very core!

Aaron gave some details on the story, saying:

…it’s basically a crime story. A murder mystery. A manhunt. But with the entirety of the Marvel Universe as its backdrop. We’re taking all the toys out of their packaging for this one. Everyone and everything is in play. For some characters, life will never be the same again. And it’s only a matter of time before more bodies are popping up.

The question is, what did the Watcher see and who would want him dead because of it?

We also got more details through a live Q&A today hosted by Marvel.

The idea came from Joe Quesada at a Marvel retreat. It all started with the idea of a murdered Watcher, which would put all of his most treasured secrets up for grabs. At first no one wanted it and it remained out there for a few retreats. About three retreats ago, Aaron became intrigued by the cosmic crime story aspect and was tasked to figure out the story, who killed the Watcher and why, so he stepped up to take a crack at it.

Nick Fury is the main investigator with Captain America, the Avengers, Thor, Dr. Strange, Black Panther, Punisher, Emma Frost, Moon Knight and a few others getting involved. Each chosen for a specific reason. Those characters head in different directions and parts of the Marvel Universe as they attempt to solve the mystery through different investigations. There’s action in space, the Punisher and Dr. Strange head to other dimensions, some unusual places are involved. Gamora, Moon Knight and Winter Soldier head into space. Another team-up is Emma Frost and Ant-Man (the Scott Lang version). There are some villains too, but that remains a secret for now. Aaron is certain folks won’t guess who is involved.

The death of the Watcher isn’t the only issue, all of his belongings are up for grabs as well with some major consequences. Imagine all of his recordings falling into the wrong hands. Some items and secrets do indeed go missing. Those secrets and how they got out are revealed in the first two issues.

While the main series is eight issues, Aaron did hint there’ll be tie-ins much like other events of year’s past, though with no specifics. The main series tells the story of the murder and investigation. The tie-ins will deal with the fall-out of that murder and the secrets that come out because of it.

We can expect consequences out of this that will affect the Marvel Universe, especially for certain characters. Towards the end of the chat Aaron laid it out there that Uatu won’t be the only casualty of the event.

The event starts in April with a #0 issue by Mark Waid and Jim Cheung.

Superstars Mark Waid & Mark Bagley Smash into Hulk #1!

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Who shot Bruce Banner? That’s the question on everyone’s mind this April when critically acclaimed creators Mark Waid and Mark Bagley smash into the epic, all-new Hulk #1 – as part of the All-New Marvel NOW! initiative!

In a release, Waid talked about what we can expect:

As our series opens, Banner’s at death’s door. …having learned something about himself that cuts him to the quick and calls into question everything he’s been doing for what he believes is the public good.  And things don’t improve for him from there.

You’ll see Bruce Banner in a whole new light.

The victim of a near fatal gunshot wound – Bruce Banner lay inches from death. Did his unknown attacker want the Hulk dead? Or Banner? As Banner clings to life, he’ll realize he’s not quite as indestructible as he once thought. If he survives this, his darkest hour one thing is certain – he won’t ever be the same!

How will the Green Goliath solve the mystery of their enigmatic attacker. And the answers will shock Banner to his very core! Don’t miss a single moment of this bombastic new series when Hulk #1 smashes its way into comic shops this April!

HULK #1
Written by MARK WAID
Art by MARK BAGLEY
Cover by JEROME OPENA
Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY
ON SALE THIS APRIL!

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