The real life "Indigo Children" were a sort of New Age pseudoscience conspiracy that offered paranormal explanations for about strange children who demonstrated mysterious aptitudes and other abilities. Were they reincarnated telepaths, or were they just neurodivergent kids with ADHD and/or Autism whose parents sought an alternative explanation for their specialness? — Read the rest
Although American comics are presently in the roughest shape I've ever personally experienced—the 90s included—they can course-correct. However, my hopes don't rest on the shoulders of Marvel and DC. If any company can save the industry, it's Image Comics.
By virtue of its creation in 1992, Image was able to learn from the mistakes of its forebears and account for the future of comics in ways the big two never could. — Read the rest
The comic book industry has always been a ripe place for exploitation, dating at least as far back as the earliest days of the superhero genre in the 60s. Creative workers who were brought on to write or draw seemingly-disposable pulp stories ended up accidentally setting new precedents in intellectual property rights when their creations inevitably turned into billion-dollar cash cows … with little to no financial compensation. — Read the rest
The rise of Marvel's Comixology has meant that DRM — Digital Rights Management — has become the norm for comics, meaning that your collection is forever locked to Comixology's platform, and it is illegal for anyone except Comixology (and not the artists and writers who created the comics!) — Read the rest
The amazing and iconoclastic Image Comics (already famous for its creator-friendly, author-owned posture) is launching a DRM-free online comics store to challenge Marvel's super-DRMed, you-don't-really-own-your-comics Comixology. I'm so glad to about this, especially as it's coming from Image, who publish some of my favorite comics (including The Walking Dead). — Read the rest
Comic book legend Rob Liefeld — a co-founder of Image Comics who created such iconic characters as Deadpool and Cable and Captain America with an absurdly huge chest — is planning to publish a new memoir looking back at his career (thought presumably focusing almost entirely on the 5 years during which he was popular and made a ton of money). — Read the rest
Heritage Auctions just listed a uniquely fascinating piece of American pop history: the original black-and-white artwork from Rob Liefeld's 1996 Heroes Reborn cover featuring Captain America with, erm, a very ample chest region.
You know the one.
Questionable anatomy aside — it is a pretty famous work of modern American pop art. — Read the rest
DSTLRY is a brand new creator-centered comic book publishing endeavor from David Steinberger and Chip Mosher, the founder and former head of content (respectively) of ComiXology. The company made waves upon its initial launch in April 2023, announcing an impressive roster of "Founding Creators" and bold aspirations for digital and print publishing that allow those creators to retain their full intellectual property rights, as well as a stake in the company. — Read the rest
In the 90s, comic books arguably reached the apex of their relevance in pop culture. Some would contest that with the rise of the Marvel cinematic universe and the success of shows like The Walking Dead, comic books are hotter than ever in the present, including in the 90s. — Read the rest
In March 1993, Image Comics published a radical new book called The Maxx from writer/artist Sam Kieth, co-written by William Messner-Loebs. This dark, psychedelic, psychological superhero dark fantasy was such a hit that it was almost immediately adapted into an MTV cartoon series that ended up being produced concurrently with the comic. — Read the rest
Image comics of today are nothing like the ones created back in the 90s. When Image first started, the publisher was both an exciting prospect and something of a joke within the industry. Despite early Image producing countless amazing comics, the negative association with some of the medium's more odious 90s trends unintentionally gave the company a tainted rep. — Read the rest
20th Century Men is a sprawling new alternate history comic book series from Deniz Camp and S. Morian. The official synopsis gives you a vague idea of what you're in for:
At the end of the 20th Century, superheroes, geniuses, madmen and activists rush towards WWIII!
When Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead shambled from the comic page to the television screen and became a monstrous hit, comic fans began to rub their hands in anticipation. In addition to having an executive role with Image Comics, Kirkman is a veritable one-man idea factory. — Read the rest
Michael Jai White is one of the most underrated talents in Hollywood. The man is built like a brick wall and is a legitimate martial arts expert. There's no reason that he shouldn't be a major marquee star. White has always circled the periphery of uber fame. — Read the rest
For the last few decades, Brian K Vaughan has been building one of the most prestigious legacies in comics' history. One look at Vaughan's resume indicates that he's easily one of the best writers working in the industry today. His work for the mainline Marvel and DC universes may be impressive, but Vaughan truly shines in the realm of creator-owned material. — Read the rest
With the recent passing of George Perez and Neal Adams, I realize that it's essential to give people their proverbial flowers while they can still smell them. To that end, I wanted to talk about one of the comic industry's top talents: Jim Lee. — Read the rest
After the runaway success of Invincible, The Walking Dead, and The Old Guard, Image comics has become a dark horse, no pun intended, in the comic book to the live-action adaptation arms race. What sets Image comics apart when Hollywood chooses to adapt their books, at least compared to Marvel and DC, is the variety of genres they offer. — Read the rest
Manga sales are trouncing American comics in every conceivable metric, and it's safe to say that the industry needs some profound reinvention. For decades, fans have noticed a steady decline in sales while prices skyrocketed. Coupled with the fact that children—choosing manga instead—now represent one of the smallest demographics for the medium, the entire industry is undoubtedly on shaky legs. — Read the rest
Ice Cream Man is consistently one of my favorite comics on the stands. Created by W. Maxwell Prince and Martin Morazzo and published by Image, it's essentially a surrealist horror anthology. Each issue tells a different hyper-stylized story of scary suburban existentialism, all loosely connected by, well, an Ice Cream Man, who may-or-may-not be some sort of eternal demon and/or angelic savior. — Read the rest
When Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples launched their epic fantasy space opera comic Saga in 2012, it was an immediate hit — critically acclaimed, as well as one of the best-selling independent comics in history. That success is well-earned; the book brilliant blends every imaginable ridiculous trope of sci-fi and fantasy epics with an incredibly grounded and emotional family story at the center of it. — Read the rest
