Image Comics - 20 Years

[md62]

I can't believe Image is still going strong after 20 years. DC & Marvel have been the Big 2 for so long that it was inconceivable that 2 companies (Image & Valiant) would challenge them 20 yrs ago. Unfortunately Valiant folded w/in a decade & is now recently making a comeback. But Image reinvented itself & kept going after the loss of Rob Liefeld then Jim Lee.

Top Cow's leaning toward's supernatural heroes/the revival of Rob's Extreme titles/the longevity of Savage Dragon & Spawn as the core Image titles helped prop up the line for long term readers. However it is the success of "new" partner Robert Kirkman's books plus the desire for other creators to tell their own creator owned stories that have fueled the ongoing success of Image & attracted new readers.

I have to admit I was not a big fan of Image when it first launched. I was a huge fan of the early Valiant Universe. But in the early 2000's I started reading Image books & I am glad they exist as an alternative to the Big Two...

[Dark Chris]

I believe that one of the main reasons that Image still exist and going so strong is Kirkman. That guy is a beast! He writes a really good superhero book that isn't Marvel or DC, his main project is selling like crazy and it's a successful TV show and he launches now and then new titles.

[Dark-Flux]

Though i dont care much for his work i would agree that Kirkman has played a big role in Images continued success over the last few years.
But a lot of credit is due to Jim Valentino and his Shadowline imprint as well. It was there that a lot of the diversivication of Images output came from.

[Pil]

I was a big fan of Image from the start. Even the standard super-hero stuff like StormWatch and Cyber Force weren't really that "standard" from the beginning, and I rather enjoyed that. Still do. I'm not surprised that they have survived and prospered for 20 years.

[Dark Chris]

And something more. I am a new Image reader, but I have seen great titles of different genres. There are traditional superhero books like Invincible, Danger Club, Hell Yeah, Savage Dragon and more but there are also titles that are more serious and usually bring me to mind some top titles from Vertigo.

[nickmarino]

I think a huge component of Image's modern success is the fact that they're willing to take a chance on lots of unusual and unique new stories. Especially within the past couple of years. I feel like I can expect to see a few new intriguing Image #1s every month.

I know not all of those books make it and keep going... but because of Image's business model where the creators retain all rights and use Image essentially only for publishing and publicity, they're able to try lots of new things with low financial risk.

Most of my favorite modern superhero comics have come from Image. In particular, G-Man and Dynamo 5.

[Darthfury78]

I think a huge component of Image's modern success is the fact that they're willing to take a chance on lots of unusual and unique new stories. Especially within the past couple of years. I feel like I can expect to see a few new intriguing Image #1s every month.

I know not all of those books make it and keep going... but because of Image's business model where the creators retain all rights and use Image essentially only for publishing and publicity, they're able to try lots of new things with low financial risk.

Most of my favorite modern superhero comics have come from Image. In particular, G-Man and Dynamo 5.

It's strange that we've yet to see the return of:

Cyber Force
Shadow Hawk
The Pit
Darker Image
The Maxx

The only other company that I wished had joined Image is Joe Quesada's Event Comics. This was a company that Joe Q should have incorporated into Image. And I like to view Joe Quesada as Chairman of the Board, like Frank Sinatra!!! Don't you guys agree?

[Dark-Flux]

Marc Silvestri has teased that a new Cyber Force book is coming. He was asked about it at Image Expo and said something to the effect of "Cyber Force was our flagship title and its Image's 20th Anniversary. Do the math, what do you think?"

[Deviancy]

Is he actually saying Cyberforce was Image's flagship title?

If so, he must have Romney's speech writer because that's about as absurd as Romney's comment about he had a role in saving the US car industry.

[md62]

Is he actually saying Cyberforce was Image's flagship title?

No. He was saying it was Top Cow's flagship book. The one that launched his studio's work at Image. I would say Witchblade is Top Cow's flagship book now.

[md62]

It's strange that we've yet to see the return of:

Cyber Force
Shadow Hawk
The Pit
Darker Image
The Maxx

The only other company that I wished had joined Image is Joe Quesada's Event Comics.

Cyberforce is coming. Marc is trying to get the right creative team. ShadowHawk was revived a few yrs ago to lackluster sales. Pitt appeared in The Darkness & is up to Dale Keown if the title is revived. The Maxx is Sam Keith's creation.

And I agree with you about Joe Q & Jimmy P's Event Comics. Although they did have their Painkiller Jane published thru Dynamite Comics a few yrs ago.

[Deviancy]

No. He was saying it was Top Cow's flagship book. The one that launched his studio's work at Image. I would say Witchblade is Top Cow's flagship book now.

I'd have to agree and I'd have to add that Witchblade has probably been Top Cow's flagship title for a long time now. I mean the property just took off fast, it quickly became a toy series and a tv show. Then when they did the Lara Croft crossovers, those helped even more since Lara was the "it" girl with a lot of geeks. I remember numerous fortune city and xoom sites dedicated to those two as a team back in the 90's. I haven't really been into the series since shortly after Ian obtained the Witchblade and went insane, I felt things started to get a bit repetitive. But I've heard good things about the last run by Marz? and I'm hearing good things about Seeley's run.

[custodes]

IMAGE used to be below par. Now it is pretty darn good. Congratulations Image on your 20th anniversary.

[Dark-Flux]

I'd have to agree and I'd have to add that Witchblade has probably been Top Cow's flagship title for a long time now. I mean the property just took off fast, it quickly became a toy series and a tv show. Then when they did the Lara Croft crossovers, those helped even more since Lara was the "it" girl with a lot of geeks. I remember numerous fortune city and xoom sites dedicated to those two as a team back in the 90's. I haven't really been into the series since shortly after Ian obtained the Witchblade and went insane, I felt things started to get a bit repetitive. But I've heard good things about the last run by Marz? and I'm hearing good things about Seeley's run.

Marz' run was fantastic. It pretty much single-handedly transformed it from a typical 90's bad girl book into a much more legitimate supernatural cop drama ...thing. Not to mention the stuff he did with the rest of the Top Cow universe a la Artifacts. Highly recommended!

[Pil]

Marz' run was fantastic. It pretty much single-handedly transformed it from a typical 90's bad girl book into a much more legitimate supernatural cop drama ...thing. Not to mention the stuff he did with the rest of the Top Cow universe a la Artifacts. Highly recommended!

Ron Marz was also the reason I stayed with the series. Excellent run indeed! So far Seeley and Bernard's work on the title has also been great. Different flavor than Marz, but still the supernatural cop drama that works so well.