SDCC '07: THE IMAGE COMICS SHOW PANEL

[MattBrady]

by Albert Ching

While Friday morning's Image Comics: The Founders panel celebrated on the company's past, the afternoon's The Image Comics Show focused on the present. The panel consisted of Image Comics publisher Erik Larsen, writer/artist Michael Avon Oeming, writers Robert Kirkman, Brian Reed, Matt Fraction, artists Jay Fotos and Phil Noto, as well as The Last Christmas co-writers Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn (of "Mr. Show" and "Just Shoot Me" fame).

Things started with the panelists getting some time to plug each of their current projects.

Of The Mice Templar, Oeming said it was an "Idea of mine that's been around before Powers, from when I was a security guard working in a booth." He reminded the audience that it's out in September and the first issue is 50 pages.

Kirkman talked about his three ongoing Image Comics titles, starting with The Walking Dead. "In celebration of issue #50, I'm trying to get rid of as many characters as possible," the writer said. "I'm thinking about killing everyone, I don't know how people will feel about that."

Another comic approaching #50 is Kirkman's Invincible. "Starting in #48, we've got some really big stuff with Cecil," he said. "After issue #50, all bets are off."

Kirkman called his third ongoing, The Astounding Wolf-Man, a "roller coaster ride" with "lots of twists and turns."

Larsen then briefly talked about Savage Dragon, saying he's been "stockpiling issues," which is why he's been behind on writing.

The publisher then plugged the previously announced anthology The Next Issue Project, where creators (including Mike Allred, Kyle Baker, Howard Chaykin) make a short story that serves as the "next issue" for old public domain comics.

Larsen then said the anthology Pop Gun, which features contributions from names like Allred and Jamie S. Rich, is at "500 pages and counting."

Larsen then talked about Pinapl, a new comic by Sharknife creator Corey Lewis coming soon, with a similar format to Fell.

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Brian Reed discussed The Circle, saying it's "set in the modern day but very old school vibe;" comparing it to Mission Impossible. It starts in November, and you can read more about it in its own article here on Newsarama.

Larsen briefly talked about Rocketo, calling it the "coolest comic ever."

Fire Breather is coming back with a new ongoing in 2008, with the original creative team of Phil Hester and Andy Kuhn returning.

Larsen informed the crowd that the entire run of the Luna brothers series Girls will soon be published all in one volume.

Rob Schrab is returning to finish the story of Scud: The Disposable Assassin, and much like Girls, there are plans to publish it all in one book - or as Larsen called it, "one gigantic, mind-numbingly big volume."

Image will soon be publishing a Tim Sale Black and White art book, that, according to Larsen, will have "no Batman, but a lot of cool stuff."

The company also will be revisiting lesser-known Jack Kirby characters like Captain Victory and Silver Star, with Larsen saying that, personally, "I'm going to be way too involved with this stuff."

Previously announced upcoming title The Sinner (image at the top of this report), by Steve Niles and Bill Sienkiewicz, was dubbed "just the coolest damn book ever" by Larsen,

Fotos discussed upcoming entries in Image's line of comics based on Frank Frazetta paintings, including Creatures (described by Fotos as "Indiana Jones/X-Files starring Teddy Roosevelt), Dracula Meets the Wolf Man (written by Steve Niles), Dark Kingdom (written by Mark Kidwell) , Swamp Demon and a four-issue Silver Warrior mini-series by Joshua Ortega and Nat Jones.

Fraction briefly recapped recent going-ons in Casanova.

The Infinite Horizon, by Duggan and Noto, starts in November. It's a six issue mini-series that Duggan calls "sort of reimaging the odyssey post-Iraq/Iran," that will get "pretty dark." Noto said "It's a nice book to experiment on." A comic previewing the title was handed out at the end of the panel and also made available at the Image Comics booth.

Dawn creator Joseph Michael Linsner and frequent collaborator Eva Hopkins then joined the panel to let fans know about Dark Ivory, a project in the works since 1999. Hopkins said the comic would "take the Anne Rice right out of the vampire genre." Linsner reminded that the 20th anniversary of Dawn is approaching in 2009, and promised plenty of related merchandise and a new Dawn comic from Image.

The rest of the panel was devoted to questions from the audience, including who Larsen would like to see in a Savage Dragon movie. Larsen said he used to always say Bruce Willis, but now the actor is a little "long in the tooth." Posehn asked if Larsen would consider a "heavyset character actor with glasses and a beard." Kirkman was asked why he thinks The Walking Dead resonates with diverse audiences - the fan said even his grandma likes it. "I try to cater to the grandma audience," said Kirkman. "It's really helped my social life."

Posehn plugged his next comic book work (in a "Treehouse of Horror" compilation for Bongo Comics), and Larsen wrapped up the panel by saying the complete Monkeyman & O'Brien will be reprinted in one of those aforementioned "gigantic, mind-numbingly big" volumes.

[MabusRex]

Can't wait for Scud to return! You best believe I'm getting that "one gigantic, mind-numbingly big volume."

[jeremybement]

Same here. That book is SOOO mine!!!

[J-Rock]

Never read Scud, but I've heard about it. Might be grabbing this when it comes out. That & I might have to check out Firebreather & Wolf-Man.

[cookiejar]

Scud is mine numbingly crazy... and one of my favorite all time books....

I recommend everyone picking this up... it has been a long time coming.

[cookiejar]

Scud is mind numbingly crazy... and one of my favorite all time books....

I recommend everyone picking this up... it has been a long time coming.

[HNutz]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Rob Schrab is returning to finish the story of Scud: The Disposable Assassin, and much like Girls, there are plans to publish it all in one book - or as Larsen called it, "one gigantic, mind-numbingly big volume."

SWEET!! Wonder if that includes La Cosa Nostroid, too?

[Odjn Ouen]

Firebreather ongoing and a new Corey Lewis comic all niceness.

[nickmaynard]

man, fraction didn't hardly talk at all.

[GooN]

Originally Posted by HNutz

SWEET!! Wonder if that includes La Cosa Nostroid, too?

Word up! La Cosa Nostroid ended with a cliffhanger that has yet to be resolved.

[Bullet_Train]

So now that Scud is wrapping up, what about Sam and Woody? And wasnt there supposed to be a third and final volume of Matt Wagners Mage? Oh, and Arrowsmith anyone? Well, at least I'm gettin my Scud on...

[kedsie]

Definitely looking forward to the complete Monkeyman & O'Brien collection (although I would rather have some more new material first).

[Arnout]

Originally Posted by Bullet_Train

So now that Scud is wrapping up, what about Sam and Woody? And wasnt there supposed to be a third and final volume of Matt Wagners Mage? Oh, and Arrowsmith anyone? Well, at least I'm gettin my Scud on...

You're right, I also would like to know when Mage Hero Denied will finally finish that up.
Arrowsmith was & is (as far as I know) Wildstorm, not Image. New volumes WOULD be greatly appreciated though.

[HNutz]

Originally Posted by Arnout

You're right, I also would like to know when Mage Hero Denied will finally finish that up.
Arrowsmith was & is (as far as I know) Wildstorm, not Image. New volumes WOULD be greatly appreciated though.

Yeah, but at least Arrowsmith wrapped up and didn't leave you on a HUGE cliffhanger.... wait, was Arrowsmith a "Cliffhanger" book, maybe?