Image Comics – news week July 29th

Now that San Diego Comic-Con is over for another year, it’s time to get back to our weekly recap of news from comic publishers.

This past week saw the new that COPRA will be returning as a new ongoing series from Image Comics. The new first issue of the superhero revenge title from Michel Fiffe (which he wrote, drew, colored, and lettered) will be released on October 2.

The build-up for the upcoming, record breaking, 300th issue of Spawn continues with the announcement that their will be cover versions of the issue from Greg Capullo & Todd McFarlane. Also previewed this week was the cover of the issue featuring pencils from Jerome Opeña, inks from Todd McFarlane, and colors from Fco Plascencia.

The covers announced today are the 3rd-7th versions with previews of more versions of the title that will be released on Wednesday, August 28 to come soon.

As the week came to end, the news that next week’s issue of DIE has already sold out and will get a 2nd printing.

The 6th issue of Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans’ hit series Die continues to sell out each issue, and the new printing of the issue will hit stores on Wednesday, August 28.

Also this week was the news that the Image/Skybound Entertainment title Excellence from the team of Khary Randolph, Brandon Thomas, Emilio Lopez, and Deron Bennett will see all it’s issues get new printings.

Look for the 3rd printing issue of the first issue, as well as 2nd printings for issues two and three of the fantasy action series on August 28. Also, check out the interview we did with Khary Randolph at Emerald City Comic Con 2019 here.

Full press releases for all the news this week from Image Comics are below.

COPRA RETURNS IN AN ALL-NEW ONGOING SERIES THIS OCTOBER FROM IMAGE COMICS

PORTLAND, Ore. 07/29/2019 — Michel Fiffe’s critically-acclaimed superhero revenge series Copra will be returning with an all-new #1 launching this October from Image Comics.

“I’m beyond excited to be returning to my own characters with all-new stories,” said Fiffe. “It’s been a minute since I last worked on Copra, but I’m back with laser focus and all is right in the universe. This first issue picks up right where the previous volume left off, so it’s an accessible continuation of the original arc. The hardcore fans and the new readers will both love it.”

Fiffe has earned praise for his work on Zegas, GI Joe: Sierra Muerte, Bloodstrike Brutalists, and All-New Ultimates—but his creator-owned superhero series Copra is far and away his most renowned and sought-after work. The original sold-out 31-issue series ended on a cliffhanger, and fans have been clamoring for the next chapter ever since.

Fiffe added: “The original self-published series was recently made available again in five trade paperback collections from Image, so it’s the perfect time to start telling new stories again.”

Copra #1 (Diamond Code AUG190053) will hit stores on Wednesday, October 2 and features 36 pages written, drawn, colored, and lettered by Fiffe. The final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, September 9.

SPAWN #300 CAPULLO & MCFARLANE COVERS & CAPULLO COVERS REVEALED

PORTLAND, Ore. 07/30/2019 — Image Comics is pleased to reveal the highly-anticipated Greg Capullo & Todd McFarlane covers and the Greg Capullo covers for the upcoming milestone SPAWN #300 issue by Todd McFarlane, President at Image Comics and creator of SPAWN. These covers are just four of many exciting cover reveals to come on the #Roadto300!

The record-setting SPAWN #300 hits stores on Wednesday, August 28. The final order cutoff for retailers is Monday, August 5. 

• SPAWN #300 CVR A MCFARLANE – Diamond Code JUN190014
• SPAWN #300 CVR B B&W MCFARLANE – Diamond Code JUN190015
• SPAWN #300 CVR C CAPULLO – Diamond Code JUN190016
• SPAWN #300 CVR D CAPULLO VIRGIN – Diamond Code JUN190017
• SPAWN #300 CVR E CAPULLO & MCFARLANE – Diamond Code JUN190018
• SPAWN #300 CVR F B&W CAPULLO & MCFARLANE – Diamond Code JUN190019
• SPAWN #300 CVR G CAMPBELL – Diamond Code JUN190020
• SPAWN #300 CVR H OPENA – Diamond Code JUN190021
• SPAWN #300 CVR I ALEXANDER – Diamond Code JUN190022
• SPAWN #300 CVR J PARODY VAR MCFARLANE – JUN190023

Momentum and frenzied buzz surrounding the classic antihero series continues to build leading into historic SPAWN #300 and record-breaking SPAWN #301 when SPAWN becomes the longest running creator-owned comic in the world. 

The celebration of SPAWN’s 300th and 301st issues is just beginning. More art and cover reveals will be shared over the coming weeks as the road to comic book history nears its destination. 

SPAWN is currently being adapted for film—a gritty, R-rated reimagining—which will mark Image President, co-founder and SPAWN creator, Todd McFarlane’s film directorial debut. McFarlane, an Emmy/Grammy-winning producer/director is also on board as screenwriter and producer. 

SPAWN sold an unprecedented 1.7 million copies at the time it was released and is one of the world’s best-selling and longest-running monthly comic books, with hundreds of millions sold worldwide in more than 120 countries, and 15 different languages.

The comic became an Emmy Award-winning animated series on HBO and a New Line Cinema feature film that grossed more than $100 million. McFarlane went on to direct and produce award-winning and critically acclaimed projects for top movie studios and record labels.

Follow Todd McFarlane on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

KIERON GILLEN & STEPHANIE HANS’ BREAKOUT HIT SERIES DIE RUSHED BACK TO PRINT AHEAD OF NEW STORY ARC LAUNCH

PORTLAND, Ore. 08/01/2019 — Image Comics has fast-tracked a second printing of Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine) and Stephanie Hans’ Die #6 a week ahead of its release. 

The upcoming issue is scheduled to hit stores on Wednesday, August 7 and—due to increasing demand—will ship sold-out at the distributor level. 

The popularity of the hot new series, Die, has grown at breakneck speed with multiple sell-outs and reprints of every issue. 

Die is a pitch-black fantasy where a group of adults have to deal with the returning unearthly horror they barely survived as teenage role-players. The series is perhaps best described as “Goth Jumanji”—but that only captures a sliver of what you’ll find in this series where fantasy gets all too real.

Die #6, second printing (Diamond Code JUN198682) will be available on Wednesday, August 28. The final order cutoff deadline for comic shop retailers is Monday, August 5.

Die is also available for purchase across many digital platforms, including the official Image Comics iOS app, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play. 
Select praise for Die:

“Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans are a powerful merging of talents. Feels like a well-oiled team that’s been working together for years. Image Comics continues to innovate.” —Rick Remender, Deadly Class, Low, Black Science, Seven to Eternity

“Utterly beautiful.”
—The Hollywood Reporter

“So I read Die today and it’s something special: clever, chilling, beautiful, and surprising. IT’S REAL GOOD AND I THINK YOU SHOULD GET IT.” —Ryan North, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Dinosaur Comics, How To Invent Everything: A Survival Guide For The Stranded Time Traveler

“Emotional evisceration awaits. I cannot recommend this highly enough” —Marguerite Bennett, Animosity, Bombshells

“Seriously, pre-order your copy; it’s so good!”
—Women Write About Comics

“I’ve had the pleasure of reading Die from Gillen, Hans & Cowles and it’s everything I love about comics. It’s such a great concept for a series.”
—Gerry Duggan, Deadpool, Analog

“Do you wish that IT had fewer clowns luring in sewers with balloons and more RPG sessions that cause kids to disappear for several years? Then Die by Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans is the comic for you! Also, I got to test-play the RPG the book is built around and it’s SO FUN.”
—Jody Houser, Stranger Things, Faith, Doctor Who

“Die is a compelling drama, filled with secrets and lies. It has the reliable wit and grace one expects from Gillen along with rich and stunning artwork by Hans, who is without a doubt delivering her best work to date. Gorgeously rendered, perfectly constructed, Die is a fantastic new series that pulls the reader into a new world, in more ways than one.”
—Declan Shalvey, Moon Knight, Injection, Return Of Wolverine

“Soooooo Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans’ Die is something ABSURDLY special. Really an incredible book.” —Mags Visaggio, Eternity Girl, Kim & Kim, Sex Death Revolution

EVERY ISSUE OF HIT FANTASY SERIES EXCELLENCE RUSHED BACK TO PRINT

PORTLAND, Ore. 07/31/2019 — Image/Skybound Entertainment is pleased to announce that every issue so far of the all-new fantasy action series Excellence by Khary Randolph (We Are Robin, Black, Tech Jacket) and Brandon Thomas (Horizon, The Many Adventures of Miranda Mercury, Noble) with colors by Emilio Lopez and letters by Deron Bennett will be rushed back to print in order to keep up with its growing demand. Issues #1-3 will be available this August.

Excellence introduces Spencer Dales, a young man born into a world of magic. His father belongs to a secret society of magicians ordered by their unseen masters to selflessly better the lives of others—those with greater potential. 

Now Spencer must follow in his father’s footsteps, but all he sees is a broken system in need of someone with the wand and the will to change it. But in this fight for a better future, who will stand beside him?  

Excellence #1, third printing (Diamond Code JUN198683), Excellence #2, second printing (Diamond Code JUN198684), Excellence #3, second printing (Diamond Code JUN198685) hit comic shops on Wednesday, August 28. The final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, August 5. 

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of bestselling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has six individuals on the Board of Directors: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino, and Eric Stephenson. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.