This year's Image Expo got underway with Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson giving a keynote address at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. The keynote was a presentation filled to the brim with guests, creators and announcements of new projects.
Stephenson began the presentation around 10:30 AM, telling the crowd that he tends to do a lot of writing, conceptual writing, at least, in the shower. "Ideas can present themselves at virtually any time," he said.
"One good idea can change everything," Stephenson continued. Declaring the legacy of the original Image founders, Stephenson said the group created an environment where, "Anyone with the combination of right guts and talents could do the comics they wanted, exactly the way they wanted."
"We don't want to be anything but the best," Stephenson said. "The very nature of Image is that we're always changing, always evolving. The future is in our creators' hands, and you don't get more carefully curated than that."
Stephenson said Image will transform itself from the "middle ground" the company currently resides, and move from being the No. 1 creator-owned publisher to the No. 1 publisher in comics.
Moving to guests joining the panel, the first individual joining Stephenson on stage was "Spawn" creator and Image co-founder Todd McFarlane.
McFarlane talked a bit about the history of Image, but then segued into the comics he is currently working on. The upcoming "Spawn" #250 is "three issues for the price of two," McFarlane said, telling the crowd that he won't ever renumber the series with a new #1. Skottie Young, Jock and Greg Capullo are all doing covers for the issue.
The previously hyped Eisner Award-winning writer joining "Spawn" with "Spawn Resurrection" #1 is Paul Jenkins. Previously announced new artist Jonboy Meyers remains on the series. McFarlane said that Jenkins' only directive is to make "Spawn" fans speculate why he (McFarlane) was writing the book for so long.
The new series McFarlane had teased: "Savior," from the creative team of Brian Holguin, McFarlane, and Clayton Crain. The tagline on the screen is, "What if the most dangerous man on Earth was also the one trying to do the most good?"
"I have the first eight issues of this book done, and it is fully painted by Clayton Crain," McFarlane said.
Beyond McFarlane's books there were a slew of other cool projects announced:
- Robert Kirkman details plans for "Invincible" #111.
- Joe Keatinge and Khary Randolph launch "Tech Jacket Digital."
- Skottie Young's skewed take on classic fairytales and their worlds, titled "I Hate Fairyland."
- Joe Keatinge and Leila del Duca's "Shutter" to debut in April.
- Brandon Graham announces shared-universe fantasy series "8House" with Churchland, Rios & more.
- Joshua Williamson announces horror comic "Nailbiter" with "Masks & Mobsters" collaborator Mike Henderson.
- Shadowline imprint to launch new Ted McKeever project "The Superannuated Man" in June
- Rick Remender to collaborate with Greg Tocchini for 60-issue series "Low."
- Matt Fraction to launch "Ody-C" in 2014, "Casanova" moves from Marvel Icon to Image.
- Kelly Sue Deconnick and Valentine De Landro's "Bitch Planet" to hit stores later this year.
- Nick Spencer announces "Great Beyond" with Morgan Jeske, "Paradigms" with Butch Guice" and "Cerulean" with Frazer Irving
- James Robinson's "The Saviors" heads to ongoing, announces new series "Airboy" with Greg Hinkle.
- Nick Dragotta, Fred Van Lente, Tom Fowler & Jordie Bellaire team for "Howtoons" educational comic.
- "Nightwing" writer Kyle Higgins launches "C.O.W.L." in May with "The League" collaborator Alec Siegel and artist Rod Reis.
- Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie announce "The Wicked & The Divine."
- Chris Burnham and Grant Morrison reunite for "Nameless."
- Bill Willingham teams with Barry Kitson for magical comic "Restoration."
- Scott Snyder and Jock head to Image for "Wytches" horror comic.
- Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips "do whatever we want" in Image five-year deal, wrap up "Fatale," plan launch of "The Fade Out," move "Criminal" and "Incognito" from Marvel Icon to Image.
All in all, a rather busy day for the folks at Image Comics; looks like they have their work cut out for them in 2015. Thanks to Comic Book Resources for the heads up.
