Image Preview Review for November

Jim: Well this month Image is very heavy on OGN (original graphic novels) and lots of trades. I see the industry moving more and more to this being the wave of the future. The top ten companies sold over $5,000,000 in trade sales in July based on Diamond estimates and Diamond does not control the distribution of the trades and hard covers meaning we never see the real sales numbers which are obviously higher. A more detail discussion for another day. Anyway Image has been jumping in with both feet.
Lee: I think it will be interesting to see how the comic book market handles the shift to book store mentality. By going with the OGN’s there is no repeatability. Or less repeatability, I should say. So now, comics really are disposable. The only thing that allows this to work is the collector mentality we all have.


LIQUID CITY GN - by MIKE CAREY, SONNY LIEW, GERRY ALANGUILAN, LAT, JON FOSTER & otherscover SHELLY WAN
The full-color LIQUID CITY anthology brings together creators based mainly in South-east Asia, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. From LEONG WAN KOK’s distinct post apocalyptic landscapes and alien creatures to LAT's unique and charming take on Malaysian life, from MIKE CAREY's meditation on colonialism to KEN FOO's dark tales of regurgitations and bodily transformations, LIQUID CITY presents an edgy vision of lives in cities past, present and future.
NOVEMBER 5 - 312 PAGES - FC - $24.99
Jim: Mike Carey is another prolific author showing up in all sorts of places. In addition to graphic novels, the internet has broaden the scope of what type of creators we get to see with less hassle then it used to be. This looks interesting and 312 for $25 in full color is a good price.
Lee: The last couple of anthologies from Image have been hit or miss of me. I always like the art but the stories have been nearly as strong. But, 312 pages is hard to turn down so I’m sure I’ll bite.

BODY BAGS: ONE SHOT story JASON PEARSONart & cover JASON PEARSON & DAVE STEWART
The wait is over! The highly anticipated and much debated return of JASON PEARSON’s signature creation is here! Mack takes a job that should be easy money, but leave it to his daughter Panda to screw it all to hell. Trapped on top of a skyscraper, surrounded by dozens of well-armed men aiming for the kill…and our ‘heroes’ down to one last bullet. The most exciting BODY BAGS story ever will definitely end with a bang!
NOVEMBER 26 - 48 PAGES - FC - $5.99
100% NEW! 100% FINISHED!
Jim: Jason Pearson is an excellent artist; I have never read anything he has written before. Obviously there must have been issues with his timeliness before as the hype tells us it is actually already completed so we can order with confidence.
Lee: Body Bags is a series that has been around forever but I’ve never picked up. It seems to have a loyal following so I might have to give this a try.

DOUGLAS FREDERICKS AND THE HOUSE OF THEY TP story JOE KELLY art & cover BEN ROMAN
Douglas Fredericks is a kid on a mission. His parents’ 15th wedding anniversary is just around the corner and he wants to create an extra-special present for them. However, his wild attempts at unique gifts are all shut down by his friends and neighbors, concerned that Douglas’s wild ideas go against what THEY say. But who are THEY? Why do THEY make the rules? And why does everyone listen to THEY?
NOVEMBER 26 - 80 PAGES - FC - $12.99
Jim: this looks like it could be a really good all ages read. I have always wanted to know who “They” were. I think pricing is important and this is in the right ballpark. The length of a four issue mini-series and $13 is equivalent to $3.25 an issue and you get the story in one sitting with no ads in the middle of the story.
Lee: Couple of points, (1) Kelly is always hit or miss so that worries me. (2) Parents married for 15 yrs? WOW what a change from the single mom/dad stories that we always seem to get. Kudos to Kelly for that point. (3) Darn you Jim!!! I always thought I was saving money on trades but now you do the math and it’s just like buying three monthlies. My illusions of saving money are effectively shattered.

THE NEW BRIGHTON ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OGN story MARK ANDREW SMITHart & cover MATTHEW WELDON
Out of the ashes of misfortune will rise the next generation of great adventurers! After their parents are lost on an archeological expedition, four children begin to unlock the secrets of their parents' mysterious lives, discovering a hidden world of mystical artifacts, mythical creatures, and arcane knowledge. Soon they find themselves drawn into a conflict over a great library that has kept two kingdoms at war for centuries, the children must save an enchanted forest, the birthplace of magic itself. Join us as these children become the latest members of the fabled New Brighton Archeological Society, and take their first steps towards their true destiny!
I think there are previews here but they haven’t been updated… as of this writing.
NOVEMBER 19 - 152 PAGES - FC - $17.99
Jim: Another OGN. This looks cute, but too cute and too young for my taste.
Lee: It’s too young because you’re getting too old! This has lots of potential. I hope they load the previews soon.

HECTOR PLASM: TOTENTANZ (ONE-SHOT) story BENITO CERENO art & cover NATE BELLEGARDE
The creative team behind INVINCIBLE PRESENTS: ATOM EVE return to their original creation, a modern-day member of an ancient cult whose duties dictate that he roam the earth to protect the living from the dead...and occasionally to protect the dead from the living. It’s the follow-up to the book WIZARD MAGAZINE called one of the top 200 comics released during its publication history.
Visit Nate’s blog here and the Hector Plasm site here
NOVEMBER 5 - 48 PAGES - FC - $5.99
Jim: Wizard called it what? I guess I missed it the first go round and as I was not a huge fan of Nate’s work on Atom Eve I will be missing this character once again.
Lee: I don’t know. I wasn’t sold upon reading the hype but after reading about the guys and the Hector site I’m on the fence. Someone out there read it and tell us what we’re missing. Thanks

THE AMAZING JOY BUZZARDS, VOL. 2: MONSTER LOVE OGN story MARK ANDREW SMITHart & cover DAN HIPP
In the second volume of THE AMAZING JOY BUZZARDS' graphic novel series, band manager Dalton finds himself on his way to a mental breakdown. He's hot on the trail of a criminal organization known as the Spider Syndicate. This naturally leads to monsters riding vespas, the Buzzards rocking out at a mysterious Egyptian temple, werewolf tribes, and more! Amidst the mayhem, Gabe and Betty continue to get closer (isn't that sweet?), and Biff happens upon nothing less than the secrets of the whole universe and life as we may or may not know it!
NOVEMBER 19 - 204 PAGES - FC - $19.99
Jim: An OGN. The length of 9/10 comics for the price of 6/7 comics and in full color. This is a bargain. The whole band thing is not something I care to read about so this is a pass.
Lee: I recently finished Joy Buzzards Vol 1 and the band thing is just background noise. It’s actually a good (goofy?) little series. I’ll let you borrow mine. You’ll like it.

THE FANTASTIC WORLDS OF FRANK FRAZETTA, VOL. 1 HC story MARK KIDWELL, STEVE NILES, JOSHUA ORTEGA & RICK REMENDERart PETER BERGTING, FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA, JOSH MEDORS & TIM VIGILcover FRANK FRAZETTA
This oversized (8.5x12”) hard cover edition collects four classic FRAZETTA-based tales. Enter the savage world in “Dark Kingdom” as Red Morgan conquers demons to avenge his family. America’s icon Teddy Roosevelt battles Mayan gods and Martians in “Creatures” to protect his country and the world. Enter “Swamp Demon” as the battle against good and evil wages on in the land of Iparsia, and two horror classics come toe to toe in “Dracula Meets the Wolfman!” All brought to life by some of the industries' top creators, along with new, never-before printed bonus material.
NOVEMBER 12 - 176 PAGES - FC - $29.99
Jim: Okay so this contains about 6 to seven issues worth of material and it is $30 and the hardcover I really wanted was the Death Dealer one and that was four issues for $50. I’m confused and I’m not buying either hard cover.
Lee: Why wasn’t the Death Dealer hc, which I really want, $30???? This is a pass just on principle.

LUCHE LIBRE, VOL. 1: HEROING’S A FULL-TIME JOB (TIPS APPRECIATED) TP story JERRY FRISSEN art BILL, FABIEN M, GOBI & OHM cover BILL
It’s the first complete stories chronicling the wild adventures of the Luchadores Five, Tequila and Tikitis, collected for the first time! Also includes bonus behind-the-scenes artwork. It’s perfect way to sample the hilarious mix of superheroes and masked wrestling that received a 2008 Eisner Award nomination!
COLLECTS ISSUES 1-5
NOVEMBER 5 - 160 PAGES - FC - $14.99
An old CBR piece with art here
Lee: I am a big humor guy and this looks like humor is spades. And, I like the stylized art so I’m going to have to try this. Plus, it’s got my favorite seal of approval an Eisner award.
Jim: Lee is a bigger humor guy when it comes to this type of material.

DR. DESTRUCTION ORIGINAL VINYL FIGURE design BILL, JERRY FRISSEN sculpt SYTE R
Yet another beautiful Designer Toy based on Image's Lucha Libre comics: Dr. Destruction! The latest addition to Muttpop's rotocast vinyl figure line. Comes with a removable cape, cigarette, cane and rotating head. Approximately 8.25" (21cm) tall.
NOVEMBER 5 - 8.25 INCHES - $60
Lee: While I may be trying the comic book I won’t be trying this. $60???? Are they crazy?
Jim: Crazy, try insane. This is a very easy pass.

THE WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS, VOL. 2 HC story ROBERT KIRKMANart & cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN This deluxe hardcover features the next 24 issues of the hit series along with the covers for the issues all in one massive, oversized slip-cased volume. Perfect for long time fans, new readers and anyone needing a heavy object with which to fend off the walking dead. Strictly limited to a print run of 3000.
Collects THE WALKING DEAD #24-48
NOVEMBER 26 - 560 PAGES - BW - $100.00 S&N LTD ED $150.00
Jim: I give Image and Kirkman credit with this book. You can but it as a comic, a six issue trade or a 12 issue hard cover or a 24 issue Omnibus. I was a trade, then 12 issues hard cover, now I’m a comic and 12 issue hard cover guy.
Lee: I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. These books are too big, too expensive, and I seriously dislike them. Go buy the smaller, easier to read trades or HC’s.

SAVAGE DRAGON #142 story ERIK LARSENart & cover ERIK LARSEN
Fall From Grace. Following the shocking events from the previous few issues, the Dragon's reputation goes straight into the crapper and the world unites against him!
NOVEMBER 26 - 32 PAGES - FC - $3.50
Lee: Since we were amazed that Spawn continues to be published, I want to point out that I am equally amazed that this is still published. Does anyone read this?
Jim: Good point. I have never heard of anyone talking about this book anymore. I guess it has a hard core fan base like Spawn.

Jingle Belle: Santa Claus Vs. Frankenstein(W) Paul Dini(A) Stephanie Gladden(Cov) Stephanie Gladden, Greg Horn
Paul Dini’s Jingle Belle comes to Top Cow in a special “Halloween collides with Christmas” one-shot written by Dini and drawn by Stephanie Gladden (Powerpuff Girls, Chowder, Hopster’s Tracks). In years past, Santa has triumphed over a variety of enemies including the Devil himself. Now, St. Nick gets ready to face his greatest challenge ever in Jingle Belle: Santa Claus Vs. Frankenstein!
Inspired by Mary Shelley’s original novel (sort of), the story of Frankenstein’s monster takes a new twist when he is found by Jingle in the Arctic wastes and “rehabilitated” to fit in with the elves at Santa’s Workshop. All goes well until an ultra-PC city declares Santa Claus taboo and awakens Frankie’s monstrous side in a misguided attempt to help his friend. It’s up to an ailing Santa and a reluctant Jingle Belle to stop their monstrous “apprentice” before he destroys the town and ruins the reputation of Christmas forever!
Full Color32 pages$2.99 one-shot
Jim: Oh look a little holiday magic early, where Santa has a caged ring match with Frankenstein. I bet Lee will be reading that to his kids on Christmas Eve instead of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”
Lee: Why waste time with this drivel when I can read “Lobo’s Paramilitary Christmas Special” and really scare the little tykes.

Broken Trinity #1 San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Variant (W) Ron Marz(A) Stjepan Sejic, Phil Hester(Cov) Stjepan Sejic
Lee: This cover easily win the Embarrassed to be a Fanboy Cover Award but I’m not sure there was real competition this month. I can’t decide if the cover is bad or just a rip off of a Harlequin Romance Novel cover. BUT, the thing that really bothers me is this is the “San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Variant”. If I remember correctly, the reason I went to ComicCon was so that I could have this and lord it over all my friends that I have it and they don’t. If you sell the exact same book via Diamond less than two months later it’s not really a Comic-Con exclusive anymore is it? In fact, it just becomes and ordinary, waste of paper comic. Dumb move the Top Cow’s part.
Jim: This cover is just wrong on so many levels, but selling the exclusive variant to the SDCC kills the point of it.

Jim: Image is certainly trying to reposition their product mix lately and I’m wondering what caused the shift in how they are publishing, but I think it is a smart move.
Lee: After looking at all of the offerings from Marvel, DC, and Image, I have to say this sound more interesting and inventive than anything the big two are offering. More and more I am moving to Image.