In 1992, a group of high-profile creators broke off from the Big Two and formed Image Comics, a vehicle for them to develop and publish their own creator owned titles. While at times bumpy, the idea was a success and Image now stands as the third largest comics publishing house and has produced some of the best comics ever written. Here are some of my favorite titles from their line.
- The Walking Dead– The now completed zombie epic that launched a thousand AMC shows. In my opinion a vastly superior story to the television narrative. Robert Kirkman knows how to make his readers feel real pain, and it is quite clear from the get-go that no character is safe.
- Saga- Basically space Romeo and Juliet but with super sexy bounty-hunting spider women and princes with televisions for heads. Also, war sucks. But space wars really suck. And there’s a cat that knows if your lying.
- Spawn– Image Comic’s flagship book and most famous character. Who doesn’t like anti-heroes and epic wars fought between heaven and hell? Very ‘90s but the writing is solid. For when you want a superhero comic but without the morality of a Marvel or DC hero.
- Monstress– A steampunk Kaiju high fantasy epic. C’mon, how do you not want to read that?
- Chew– One of my all-time personal favorites. A world where eating chicken is outlawed, and people have all kinds of weird, food-based powers. The F.D.A is the government’s premier law enforcement agency. It is bizarre, inventive, hilarious, and tragic. Just phenomenally written.
- The Wicked and the Divine- Every ninety years twelve gods/goddesses appear and live amongst us for two years before they die. Grief, death, mortality, identity, and the cost of fame are all central themes to this stylized pop-opera. An intriguing premise and a mystery that pays off pretty well if you pay close attention to what you’re told. For all of you looking to add some serious David Bowie energy to your comic book readings.
- Savage Dragon: A green-skinned superpowered amnesiac works as a police officer in Chicago battling super-criminals. This series has been going strong since ’92 so there is plenty to catch up on. The humor is solid and like Spawn is perfect for when you want a superhero book aimed at more mature audiences.
- East of West- A sci-fi dystopian western from writer Jonathan Hickman. Hickman is one of the best in the business, known for grand sweeping complex epics; and East of West is no different.
- Paper Girls- Four twelve-year-old paper delivery girls get caught up in a centuries-spanning war between two factions of time-travelers. One of Brian K. Vaughn’s more under-the-radar books, which is a shame because it’s pretty awesome.
- Black Science- Kind of like the Fantastic Four meets Sliders but its all Lovecraftian horror. If dimension-hopping multiversal horror is your jam, then this is a title you need to be reading.