Image Comics has never shied away from the strange and unusual. Since its inception, the imprint has positioned itself as the cutting edge of alt-comics and has provided fans with alternatives to the usual comic fare.
Every year, Image Comics releases tons of great new books on top of their successful long-form series. The comics usually deal with esoteric topics and aren't afraid to get political. The imprint has something for everyone from the superhero fanatic, to lovers of epic fantasy, and everything else in between.
Two Moons
Launched in early 2021, Two Moons is a fascinating collaboration between writer John Arcudi and artist Valerio Giangiordano. It tells the story of a young Pawnee man serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. Though long distanced from his Indigenous roots, Virgil reconnects to his shaman ancestors and is able to see the evil spirits around him.
The writing is taut and the art from Giangiordano brings the hallucinogenic visions to life in horrifying color. The book manages to blend elements of fantasy, war, and western stories together to form a gripping story.
Home Sick Pilots
Home Sick Pilots is one of the most unique books ever published by any comic imprint. It tells the story of a walking haunted house that travels across the country and contains Ami, the lead singer of a punk band. The pairing of Dan Watters and Caspar Wijngaard is a match made in comic book heaven and the duo delivers in each issue.
The comic has the rebellious spirit that is typical of Image's imprint but it also features exciting action that borders on the over-the-top humor of superhero comics. On top of that, the entire book is shot through with a punk rock energy that jumps off the page.
Fire Power
Fire Power sees the return of one of Image's biggest hitmakers Robert Kirkman, who is known for his work on The Walking Dead comics, in a new book with artist Chris Samnee. The book follows Owen Johnson, a man who reluctantly wields the fire power and is destined to save the world. The power makes him the prime target of evil and it puts his family in the crosshairs.
Fire Power has the feel of a superhero comic but also contains alternative elements of Image Comics. Kirkman brings his masterful storytelling to the book and fleshes out the family dynamic, similar to his work on TWD. The book has something for every type of comic fan with its exciting action and an interesting storyline.
Stillwater
2021 was a terrific year for horror comics and Image was at the forefront with Stillwater. The series tells the story of Stillwater, a town where no one ever dies. Though that is an inviting idea, the reader soon learns that immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be.
The story is a slow burn and each issue reveals more and more of the dark universe. Writer Chip Zdarsky brings a Twilight Zone-like energy to the story and Ramón Pérez's artwork is top-notch. Though the book started at the tail end of 2020, it really hit its stride in 2021 and is still running.
Monstress
Image Comic's lineup is one of the most diverse in all of the industry and Monstress is one of the most interesting books on the imprint. The epic fantasy book follows a girl named Maika who has a psychic link with a giant monster. Her connection puts her in the middle of a dangerous conflict between two worlds.
The art by Sana Takeda gives the book its own unique look and it pairs perfectly with the story. The epic nature of the story has allowed it to flourish since its debut in 2015, and in 2021 it hasn't shown any signs of stopping. Monstress is one of the best Image Comics series for new readers because it is an epic tale that has been running for a long time.
The Good Asian
The Good Asian is a unique blend of old and new which elevates the medium of comics. Set in the 1930s, the book tells the story of a Chinese-American detective who has to solve a grizzly series of murders in the Chinese community. Meanwhile, he has to grapple with his own self-loathing if he wants to get to the bottom of the case.
The brainchild of writer Pornsak Pichetshote, the noir thriller is a perfect blending of Image Comics staples. It is historical as well as political and touches on hot button topics that are just as important in 2021 as they were in the 1930s. The whole thing is brought to life beautifully by artist Alexandre Tefenkgi who perfectly captures the noir aesthetic in the comic book medium.
Haha
The anthology style is nothing new for comic books but Haha managed to inject new life into it. Each issue follows a different story but they all revolve around clowns in one way or another. The book stays fresh with new stories each month as well as a different art style provided by various guest artists.
The book is fascinating not just for its premise but its execution as well. While clowns are the central theme of each book, the stories often transcend and speak to the human condition as a whole.
Ice Cream Man
Image outdid themselves when they served up Ice Cream Man as an ongoing series. Each issue tells a contained story that deals with heady topics such as addiction, mental illness, and a slew of other real-life issues. Meanwhile, the Ice Cream Man lords over all of the stories, not just as the teller of the tale but seemingly the figure who controls them.
The series took the concept of older books such as Tales From The Crypt and reinvented them for the twenty-first century. While other comics of the style deal with monsters and ghouls, Ice Cream Man focuses on the horrors of the real world with devilish results. Not only does the book play with the narratives, but it also plays with the way the story is revealed through the comic form each month.
That Texas Blood
That Texas Blood is reminiscent of films like No Country For Old Men and delivers the same morose energy. Set in a remote Texas town, the story follows a man who returns to his hometown to deal with the death of his brother. Along the way, the story unfolds in an ever-expanding mystery that grips the entire town.
Chris Condon's storytelling ability is on full display and his partnership with artist Jacob Phillips brings the world of the comic to life. The comic is simultaneously gritty and sad with elements of mystery and horror thrown in for good measure. The book has a certain cinematic quality and reads like the perfect Neo-noir thriller film.
Department Of Truth
A big part of the Image Comics style is their willingness to make big political statements with their stories. Department of Truth follows a conspiracy theorist who discovers that they are all true. He delves into the world of a government agency whose job it is to cover things up and he works to discover the real truth.
The mystery aspect of the books keeps the pages turning and the commentary is sharp and political. The book delivers everything that fans could hope for and certainly satisfies readers who enjoy the esoteric side of storytelling. Martin Simmonds' art is mesmerizing, creepy, and pairs perfectly with the strange story as it unfolds.