In our latest recap of the weekly news from Image Comics, we bring you details on a Rat Queens one-shot that will introduce a new creative team before they take over on RAT QUEENS #16, as well as new prints for ASSASSIN NATION #1, and DIE #1.
Coming this April will be RAT QUEENS: SWAMP ROMP. The one-shot from the team of Ryan Ferrier and Priscilla Petraites will lead into the new story arc for the series that will kick off in June’s RAT QUEENS #16
The first issue of Erica Henderson and Kyle Starks Assassin Nation came out last week and now the Image/Skybound Entertainment title will see that issue get a 2nd printing.
Look for the 2nd printing of the action-comedy’s first issue on April 17th.
Assassin Nation #1 wasn’t the only issue announced for a new printing this week, as Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans’ hit series DIE will see it’s debut issue go back to the printer for a 5th printing.
It will also be released on April 17th.
All press releases are below. All artwork courtesy of Image Comics.
RAT QUEENS: SWAMP ROMP DEBUTS NEW CREATIVE TEAM AHEAD OF RAT QUEENS #16 NEW STORY ARC KICK OFF
Early interior pages revealed
PORTLAND, OR 03/21/2019 — Image Comics is pleased to unveil interior pages from the forthcoming Rat Queens Special: Swamp Romp one-shot issue and subsequent Rat Queens #16 issue, both of which will debut the all-new creative team on the series, Ryan Ferrier (Death Orb, Criminy) and Priscilla Petraites (Brilliant Trash). Swamp Romp will hit comic shops in April followed by #16 in June.
Dragons. Monsters. Tricksters. The Rat Queens have seen—and slayed!—it all. But in Rat Queens Special: Swamp Romp a dying man of great wealth hires our heroes to exact revenge for the murder of his prized unicorn. Betty, Hannah, Braga, Violet, and Dee are suddenly thrust into a quest that may bring them face-to-face with a mythological creature thought only to exist in bedtime stories. This is Palisade’s urban legend, and it will end with either death or a mass fortune.
Following the one-shot, Ferrier and Petraites will team up with Marco Lesko and take the reins of the ongoing title starting with Rat Queens #16 this June. The issue will kick-off a new story arc called, The Once and Future King: Part One. In the wake of great change, readers witness the Rat Queens as they struggle to reclaim their sisterhood—just as a mysterious force of great vengeance sets its sights on Palisade. For our incorrigible band of adventurers, it’s personal.
Rat Queens Special: Swamp Romp one-shot (Diamond Code FEB190045) will be available on Wednesday, April 10.
Rat Queens #16 (Diamond Code APR190175) will be available on Wednesday, June 19.
The digital editions of Rat Queens Special: Swamp Romp and Rat Queens #16 will also be available for purchase across many digital platforms, including the official Image Comics iOS app, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.
ERICA HENDERSON & KYLE STARKS HIT THEIR MARK WITH ASSASSIN NATION
The hot new series from Image/Skybound Entertainment is being rushed back to print to keep up with demand
PORTLAND, OR, 03/21/2019 — Two-time Eisner Award winner Erica Henderson (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Jughead) and Eisner-nominated writer Kyle Starks (Rick and Morty, Sexcastle) hit their mark with the launch of Assassin Nation last week and delivered fans a side-splitting, mega-violent action-comedy. In order to keep up with the growing customer demand, Image/Skybound Entertainment’s Assassin Nation #1 is already slated to go back to print.
Assassin Nation #1 introduces readers to the World’s (Former) Greatest Hitman—who has a hit out on him. What to do? Why, hire the 20 best assassins in the world to be his bodyguards, of course. These mean-as-hell hired guns and murderers will have to work together to keep the new crime boss safe, figure out who’s trying to off him, and also… survive.
With the same laugh-until-you-cry spirit of action-comedies like Hot Fuzz, Tropic Thunder, and Deadpool, Assassin Nation is the bombastic, hilarious, murder-fest readers have been waiting for.
Assassin Nation #1, second printing (Diamond code: JAN198546) will be available on Wednesday, April 17. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, March 25.
It will also be available for purchase across many digital platforms, including the official Image Comics iOS app, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.
FANS BACK FOR MORE OF KIERON GILLEN & STEPHANIE HANS’ DIE #1 WITH ENCORE FIFTH PRINTING GREENLIT
“A deliciously dark Phantom Tollbooth-like journey told through a lens of broken humanity and a deconstruction of the role-playing game’s roots. I am entranced.” —Matthew Mercer, Critical Role
PORTLAND, OR 03/22/2019 — Image Comics’ Die #1 by New York Timesbestselling creator Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine) and artist Stephanie Hans is being rushed back for an encore fifth printing due to overwhelming fan interest in the series and to keep up with the series’ breakneck growth.
“We felt entirely sure that the fourth printing would be the last, but with another instant sell-out means we just have to go back again,” said Gillen. “We’ll be trying to print to match this shocking and humbling demand. High fives to everyone who’s joining us on this fantasy adventure.”
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 #1, 5th printing (Diamond Code FEB198164) and will be available on Wednesday, April 17. The final order cutoff deadline for comic shop retailers is Monday, March 25.
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:
“Really couldn’t have enjoyed Die #1 more than I did. 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
[…] Hans‘ DIE series as been such a hit with readers that the 1st issue is now on it’s 5th printing, and this week it was announced that issues 2 and 3 of the fantasy series will each get a new […]