Image News

**TOP COW LEAVES IMAGE**  It's official!  Top Cow (makers of Cyberforce,
Witchblade, Ripclaw, 21, Weapon Zero and varist others) has left Image.  The
Big Scoop is that Wizard World interviewed Top Cow Editor Dave Wohl online
last night.  Wohl spilled the beans and gave the inside info on the departure.
   You can download the transcript in the Picture Gallery in the folder "Stuff
You Can Download." on America Online.  Also available on the Wizard Web Page
(http://www.wizardpress.com).

90 responses total.

Top Cow gave no specific reasons for the departure from Image, but did refer
to "a changing marketplace" as a reason for their decision; after the split,
Top Cow will become one of the five largest publishers in the comic book
field, producing comics trading cards, and other products.
   "With the success of our comic book line and the increasing recognition
of Top Cow as a viable brand, it was tme to establish the company as an
independent entity," Top Cow Productions owner and president Marc Silvestri
said. Top Cow already has licensing arrangements with Dreamworks, Fox Children
Network, UPN, Playmates, and Mattel.

well, i like top cow, so i say good luck. But i am kind of thinking. did they
use the image name to get somewhere and just when they got popular, they said
"see ya!" i dunno, image is so kewl, why someone would wanna leave is beyond
me. This next little tidbit has nothing to do with image or topcow, but i want
ppl to know "ALICIA SILVERSTONE SUCKS!!!!!!! BAD ACTRESS...PTOOEY!"

yes..

It was said that Marc Silvestri also had irreconcilable differences with an
unnamed Image partner. Furthermore, Silvestri felt that Image has slowly lost
it's goals and principles that it had when Image was founded. "This was a very
difficult decision. I had spoken with Todd, whose opinion I respect greatly
as a friend and peer and he understood our concerns," Silvestri stated. "We
hold no ill will towards Image. We still consiter ourselfs to be on good terms
with the company and hope that Image will continue to prosper." Still more
to come.

More Image News

**Upcoming Crossovers**  Before Top Cow leaves Image, Cyberforce and
Witchblade will crossover with Event's Ash in August. Also that month, there
will be a Tomoe/Witchblabe crossover with Tucci, Gutierrez and artist Jamal
Igle.

With all the Marvel/Image crossovers, one more has been put on the list. Some
time in 97, the long waited, fan requested, Jim Lee's WildCATs will be teaming
up with X-men in a four issue mini-series. Scott Lobdell will most likely
write the story and Marvel and WildStorm will each produce two of the books
to the crossover. There will also be a Gen 13/Generation X crossover too (but
even less details are known). More to come, of course.

More Image News

**Spawns** Okay, lets count the Spawns (not including the ones in the toy
line)... 1)To start, the is the Al Simmons that we all know and love who is
the current series. 2)Medievil Spawn that premeired in issue #9, and also seen
in issues #14-15 and has just finished a Medievil Spawn/Witchblade mini
series. 3)The giant Spawn who appeared in the Angela mini series. 4)Cog who
has been helping Al Simmons since issue #9 and just reveiled that he was a
spawn in issue #50. 5)Daniel Llanso, a future spawn that appears one thousand
years in the future as he fights the anti-pope and perpairs for the final
battle of armageddon. 6)Vlad Tepes, a vampire spawn in a tale of a love that
defied death and a horror that defied God... Huh, what? You haven't heard of
the last two? Well, that's why this is "Image News".
   Todd McFarlane is putting out two new comics. The first is, Curse of Spawn.
Curse of Spawn is NOT a mini-series but a ongoing anthology of variest spawn
tales. The first story arc is written by the Spawn movie and HBO animated
series writer, Alan McElroy and art by fan favorite, Dwayne Turner. It tells
a tale where the war between Heaven and Hell heats up. Daniel Llandos has to
decide to stop the war or take advantage of it.
   The second is Spawn "The Impaler". NOTE: THIS IS IMAGE'S FIRST FULLY
PAINTED SERIES. This three issue mini-series spans the centuries between the
dark days of Vlad Tepes to the grim world of the near future. It is written
and drawn by Mike Grell and Rob Prior who paints over Mikes pencils. 


**Extreme** Rob Liefeild is revamping his line again. In '97 Extreme Genesis
will cut down the titles to only four. These are Youngblood, Phrophet, Glory,
and Newmen. Lets see how long this last before he puts out even more comics.
Ithink that he will just make more comics at Maximun Press so he wouldn't
have to give a persentage to Image (this is only my opinion).

** Crossover Updates** It is rumored that Image and DC are talking on respects
of crossovers. Wildstorm will co-produce a Gen13/Batman and a JLA/WildC.A.T.s.
More later.
   Top Cow will have it share of cross-overs, first starting with Event
Comics. Other then Ash in Cyberforce and Witchblade, fan fave writer, Garth
Ennis, will write a Witchblade/22 Brides set to hit the selves in '97. Top
Cow Comics will also cross-over with Marvel. This eight chapter cross-over
will start this December with Silver Surfer/Weapon Zero. This story starts
with Mephisto giving up the Marvel Hell to terrorize the Top Cow Universe.
The crossover will also feature Witchblade/Wolverine, Cyblade/Elektra,
Ballistic/Ghost Rider. Artist on these books are Marc Silvestri, Mike Turner,
and Joe Benitez, with writers Howard Mackie, Walter Simonson, David Wohl,
Christina Z and Brian Holguin.  David Wohl also reported a Gen 13 crossover
in January and a another Spawn crossover next summer.

hmm.. crossover mania..  but where's Sleepwalker?

He's crossing-over with Frew :)

WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!
Frew kicks @$$
heh heh heh

Okay, here's the plot... Sleepwalker desides to leave this Rick Sheridan guy,
but ends up going to another dimention which happens to be the real world.
Sleepwalker needs a host to explore our world and he goes into my dream world.
While I am dreaming, I dream something about Frew, but Sleepwalker prosevces
him to be real, subconcusly making Frew real... which destroyes our universe
and makes Droll's universe. The Sleepwalker has his misadventures with Droll
and friends until he meets Werf who explains to him it's all a dream and none
of this happened.

NEATO!! The origin of Frew with Sleepwalker thrown in.. hehe.. cool..
I'd get to write Sleepwalker into my comic.. I wonder if Marvel would mind
if i sort of 'borrowed' this unused character.. hmm..

**Homage Comes To Image** "The editorial content in Homage titles are not
interlinked continuities," said Jim Lee, founder of Homage Comics, about
Homage's move to Image effective in November. "Plus, the retail community is
now assured of a consistant flow of Hamage Comics product at the incredibly
competitive prices offered by Image Comis' discounting policies." They will
bring over all their comic to Image under a imprint simular to the original
purpose of Homage. They will also be putting out a graphic novel written by
Kurt Busiek and painted by David Wenzel called The Wizard's Tale. This trade
paperback is a medeival fanasty of the Land of Ever-Night, where an evil
wizard stands between a new damn and eternal darkness.
   I was a little doubtful about Jim Lee's reasonings to make another company
other than Image, but since it had Astro City, Strangers in Paradice, and
Leave it to Chance, stories that where well acclaimed, created by some of the
best creators in the industry, and stories that didn't fit into Image's
Universe, I deside to not to think about it too much. There was no doubt that
Homage comics were going to be hot.
   There were two major reasons why Homage wasn't in Image in it's first
conseption. 1) Image has a rule about that the owners have complete control.
That means the creators have to take care of all of the business ends along
with the comic. With Homage, Jim Lee's company, Wildstorm, would take care
of all of the business while leaving the comic to the control of the creator.
2) Homage could be distributed in both Previews and Advance since Image had
an exclusive agreement with Previews. Last month was the last month Capital
City Distrubution put out Advance. It is rumored that DC Comics bought Capital
City and will be going exclusive. But the only confermed rumor is that Diamond
Comics Distributors acquired selectived assets of Capital City. Now, Homage
will only be distributed by Diamond which takes away their advantage in being
in to catalogs. With that taken away, Jim decided to take his company to Image
to take advance of Image's discount with printers and Diamond.


**Extreme Bullshit** I knew it. In this months Previews, those four titles
(Youngblood, Prophet, Glory, and Newmen) are going to be labeled under the
imprint of Maximum Heroes in Rob's non-Image comic book company, Maximum
Press. Okay, in Warchild #1 Rob Liefeld said, "We're looking to do things
different here at Maximum Press. There will be no shared universes, no
inter-connecting cross-overs, no tricks and no lies, no way." YEAH SURE! That
why there is Avengelyne/Prophet, Avengelyne/Glory, Avengelyne Warrior Nun
Areala, Avengelyne/Cybrid, etc. Rob claimed Maximum was going to a creator
owned/lisensed line variest types of comics and all he has done is make a
whole line of comics that is owned by him and he get the all the prophets.
There still some Extreme titles in Image. Those are, Bloodhunter (by Rick
Veitch), Supreme (by Alan Moore), Kid Supreme, Power Rangers Zeo, and
Beetleborgs. Question, why can't Power Rangers and Beetleborgs be in the
lisensing line in Maximum Press? Because Rob plans on making them be in the
"Image Universe"; Power Rangers will crossover with Youngblood in October.
No wonder Marc Silvestri took his line of comics and left Image. In all the
interviews and press releases for Marc's departure of Image said that is was
because of personal differences with an unnamed Image parter. It doesn't take
a genius to figure out that it is Rob. But, what is the point of reading
Extreme anyways? They're all just sad ripoffs of other characters. Prophet
is a cross between Cable and Captian America, Supreme is Superman, Glory is
Wonderwoman, Badrock is Thing, Bloodwulf is Lobo, etc, etc, etc. Can I further
the point by pointing out that Rob has also gone back to Marvel. He has remade
Captain America (with that stupid bird on his head insted of the A), but
insted of making Cap have more depth or story, Rob just writes a story where
Cap has amnesa (for no reason) and has some guy on the street tell him he's
Captain America... then he fights bad guys. Come on, I could make a better
story then that. In fact, I have. If anybody wants to see my version of
Captain America's revamp, I'll e-mail it. I tried to make it more mature and
meaningfull. I'm not trying to say I'm the best writer in the world, but I'm
trying to say that even some kid off the street can write a better story then
Rob.

**Extreme Leaves Image**  Just when I reported how most of the books have gone
to Maxiumum, I found out the reason. "Image is a cool place and I feel very
strongly about Image and what we created there, but this is a decission that
we made," Rob Liefeld said in interview with a Detriot News reporter. Rob will
still do the Heroes Reborn, but Jim Valentino is sueing Rob for breach of
contract. Jim was to write the Avengers and it will be interesting to see what
will happen there since Rob has a contract will Marvel saying that if they
are late on one of the books creator control will go back to Marvel.
    So where does this leave Image? Rob and Marc Silvestri have they own comic
book companies, Jim Lee's own comic company, Homage, is merging with Image,
Jim Valentino is left hanging because Rob was suppost to produce his books,
Whilce Portacio gave up his founder spot a while ago and only project is Iron
Man, Todd McFarlane and Erik Larsen are not going anywhere, and Jeff Smith
doesn't care, just as long as his book still comes out. So this leaves Image
with only three studios puting out books (four if you count Jeff's Cartoon
Books).
   More on Rob's departure later.

**Lots of stuff** Coming in November are two Marvel/Image crossovers. Team
7 (Grifter, Dane, Lynch, and Deathblow) and Team X (Wolverine, Maverick, and
Sabretooth) will go face to face. This is written by Larry Hama, drawn by
Steve Epting, and inked by Matt Ryan. Then, Gen13 will meet with Spider-Man.
This is written by Peter "Hack" David with art by Stuart Immonen. The
Cable/Prophet book will be delayed and will be rescheduled later.
   Talking about Gen13, WildStorm Animation has casted the voice actors for
the Gen13 direct to video movie coming out summer of next year. Flea (from
Red Hot Chili Peppers) is Grunge, John Dalance (Q from Star Trek) is Lynch,
Olicia Witts (Mr Hollans Oppus) is Fairchild, EG Daily (Pee Wee's Big
Adventure) is Freefall, Loran Lane (The Nanny) is Ivana, and Mark Hamel (Luke
from Star Wars, Joker in Batman The Animated Series, Hobgogin in Spiderman
animated, Gargole in Incredible Hulk animated, creator of Black Pearl, etc.)
is Threshold (forgive any misspellings). The recordings are going on now and
there might be a TV animated to follow the release. More later.
   Along with DV8, Gen13 will be spining off in another monthly ongoing
series, Gen13 Bootleg. Bootleg will have a rotating creative team on this book
for each story arc. The first story arc (in issues #1-2) is "The Lindquist
Fault" written and drawn by Alan Davis and inked by Mark Farmer. The second
story arc (in issues #3-5) is written by Terry "SiP" Moore and art by Tom
Koker. "There have been a whole lot of people wanting to do Gen13, but at the
same time, Brandon Choi and J.Scott Campbell have an extended story to tell,"
said WildStorm marketing dirrector Jeff Mariotte. 
   Talking about Wildstorm, there are romors that there is is a big WildStorm,
Top Cow, and Crusade crossover coming soon. This might even turn into a card
game afterwards.
   Talking about Top Cow, with Rob Liefeld's departure from Image and Jim
Lee's Homage move to Image, will Top Cow come back to Image? Marc Silvestri
is still on the Image Board of Directors, so expect anything.

corection... Mark Famer and Alan Davis are both writting the first story arc
of Gen13, not Davis alone.

**More on Rob** Even though Rob Liefeld states that he has resigned from
Image, it is coming aparent the he might have been kicked out. The Image Comic
Inc. shareholders have approved of removing Rob Liefeld from the Board of
Directors and his titles as Cheif Executive Officer, Chief Finacial Officer,
and Sectretary of the Company. Even though some of Extreme's titles have
already moved to Maximun Press, the offical departure will take place in
November.

**Mars Attacks Image** The popular Topps trading card set from 1962 teams up
with Image Comic this December for one of the most unexpected crossovers of
the decade. There will be two books with one being done by Image Comic and
one by the largely expanding Topps Comics. In Mars Attacks The Image Universe
(a four issue mini-series produced by Image) the Martians Earth but insted
of facing normal humans, they have to face the Superheros of Image. This will
be written by Kieth Giffen and art by Andy Smith and Bill Sienkiewicz. In Mars
Attacks The Savage Dragon (a four issue mini-series produced by Topps) the
Martians abduct Dragon and take him back to Mars and conduct experiments on
him... and thats when the shit hits the fan. This is written by Dwight Jon
Zimmerman, with art by Hugh Haynes and Armando Gil. If you like Mars Attacks,
look out for the film starring Jack Nicholson in December.

v_**Other Savage Dragon Crossovers** Resently Dragon has already meet the Maxx
(TSD #28), WildStar (TSD #29), and Spawn (Spawn #52 & TSD #30). Not only will
he crossover with Mars Attack as written above Dragon, but the Savage Dragon
will also meet Mike Migola's HellBoy, and Destroyer Duck. I guess with PITT
gone to Full Bleed, Dragon must be the one to crossover with now.

The following is an E-mail I got from Steve Roston:

One of the Image founders (can't remember which one, though I think it was
Todd) said that Rob pulled a Nixon, resigning just before he was about to get
fired. The Image founder then confirmed that Rob was going to get the boot.
The quote was in one of the recent Wizard's, if anyone wants to look it up.
I acn tell y9ou dislike Rob, so I'll show you this article I found on the
Internet...

<begin quote>
Talk about being hit by the Onslaught!...You may have already heard the rumors
for the last couple of weeks, but now it can be confirmed...I've been told
by inside sources that Rob "let me tell you a" Lie-feld has been fired by
Marvel!!!...THIS IS NO RUMOR, NO JOKE AND NO HOAX... 

It seems like Marvel was trying to get rid of Roy-boy for a while now because
of missed deadlines and disputes with other creators, but Marvel finally found
the loop-hole in their 1-year contract with Liefield when they discovered that
Rob Roy was selling unauthorized ash-can versions of Captain America at the
San Diego Comic Con AND KEEPING ALL OF THE MONEY FOR HIMSELF...(Maybe I should
start calling him a new name, like "I want to Rob you of all your money"
Liefeld)...

It's also true that issues #2-#3 of both The Avengers and Captain America are
already in the can, but Marvel is trying to put a new creative team on the
books to do issue #4 on both books...AND if they can get a really big name
creative team ASAP, they are apparently ticked off enough at Liefeld that they
are willing to scrap Liefeld's issues #2-#3 and replace them with different
versions by this new creative team... 

First he was dumped by Image and now Marvel...I guess it's been a bad month
for Liefeld, but to paraphrase Marc Silvestri, he made his own bed... 

So who will Marvel get to replace Liefeld?...Some think that Jim Lee may
inherit the Avengers and Cap to go along with Iron Man and the FF...Some think
that Marvel may go after someone with a history of working Marvel legends like
Byrne, Claremont or Perez...Some think that they may use some newer talent
like Waid and Kubert...Some think that Marvel may go after someone or
someone(s) who have never done anything for Marvel before...All agree however,
that Lobdell should not be involved in any more Marvel titles!...Either way,
no decissions have been made yet, but the possibilities are 
endless...Endless?...Hmmm...I wonder what that Gaiman fellow is doing these
days?.... 
<end quote>

**Corrections** It is Event, not Top Cow who will be a part of the
multicompany croossover. Coming soon, there will be an Shi/Ash/Grifter comic
where expanding to become a Fleer collector card game called CrossOverPower.
This will an expantion set of Marvel's OverPover game with characters from
WildStorm, Event, Crusade, and High Impact. (Also look out for a Shi Daredevil
crossover.) More later. I also forgot to mention that the Mars Attacks movie
will be dirrected by Tim Burton. And, it was Eric Larsen who made the "Nixon"
quote not Todd.

**WildCATS/X-Men** It's happening! Scott Lobdell is writting away, Travis
Charest is already drawning the first issue. There is a really cool preveiw
in a WildStorm Sampler free from the Jim Lee Special by Wizard Press.

Image Comics made a statement about Rob Liefeld. They colectively stated that
Rob was kicked out, ant that Rob did not leave on his own like he implied.
The statement also said that Rob owes Image and that he is withholding the
money. Furthermore, Image believed that Rob was using Image to further his
Maximum Press line. In responce to the statement, Rob Liefeld has filed a
lawsuit agianst Image. Image is also plaining on counter-sueing Rob. (what
a mess)

**WildDisney?** Disney has made a deal with WildStorm Productions to produce
a live action Gen13 movie. Disney will also be in charge of distributing the
Gen13 Animated video next summer (more later).

**A Change of Events** Joe Quesada has stated that the Event crossover with
Witchblade will be canceled and replaced by a crossover with The Darkness.
He felt that too many people were crossing over with Witchblade, so hence the
change. The Painkiller Jane (from 22 brides)/Darkness crossover will be
written by Warren Ennis and drawn by Amanda Connor.

In Febuary, Rob Liefeld will put out Etreme Genesis #1 through Maximum Press,
which will explain the Extreme heros outside the Image Universe. Rob stated
that his titles will have a lighter and more optimist outlook. Darker titles
like Darkchylde, Phriest, and Cybrid will be canceled. Aveglyne will still
be published, but toned down while still being riske. If you ask my opinion,
Rob is throwing out his only god books and keeping the crappiest. In simular
news, there are unconfermed rummors that Marc Silvestri will take over Rob's
Marvel titles.

It's been a while since I last posted, so I'll try to make this breif.
WildStorm has been busy... They are setting up even more crossovers, this time
with Darkhorse. Look out for WildCATs vs. Aliens and WetWorks vs. Predator.
They also have a deal with GTE to produce a interative CD-ROM online comicbook
game called Siege. There will also be a Siege comic on paper written by
Jonathan Peterson and drawn by Robert Teranishi. Also look for news comic for
WildStorm such as Guardian Angel, Phatom Guard, Black Ops vs DV8, Wynonna
Earp and others. Homage will get a few more series in their line. Scott
"Understanding Comics" McCloud will create The New Adventures of Abraham
Lincoln. Steven Grant and Mike Zeck team up once again for Lawless. Mark Waid,
Brian Augustyn, and Barry Kitson will bring out Empire.
   Correction on the Rob Liefeld cancelings. It is Celestine, not Cybrid that
is getting the axe. Most of the comic that Rob was going to put out trough
Image before his offical leave have been canceled (ie Bloodhunter and Power
Rangers just to name two). They will be later resolisted in Maxxium.
  Marc Silvestri is back to Image. "it made good sense. Our decision to leave
Image Comics was one of the toughtest business decisions we ever made. But
not long after we left, the Board of Directors of Image comic elected to
remove Rob Liefeld from the company. That action enabled me to return to the
publishing company I helped found, " stated Marc Silvestri. "It's good to be
back home agian." Technicly Top Cow never left. All of the Top Cow Comics came
with a little Image "I" in the corner of each cover. 
   Arcanum will be delayed until March. This will provide creator Brandon
Peterson more time to profect the art and story.
   Hellshock is back!!! Volume two will be in stores in January. What took
so long to bring it back? Research. Creator Jae Lee spent all this time to
produce a much bigger story with more details and more characters then in the
mini series "In essence, what I'm doing is expanding the mini series a hundred
fold," said Jae Lee. This (in my opinion) will be the best Image on-going
series ever. (more later)
   After a long abbsense from drawing comics, Jim Valentino is back with A
Touch Of Silver. A Touch Of Silver is a story about a young boy in 1962
struggling to grow up in a diysfunctional family while only finding comfort
in collecting and drawing comics. This bi-monthly book is pure drama (slightly
auto-biographical) will be self contained story while being a part of a bigger
whole.
   The Aventure of Aaron will be coming to Image. I'm not sure how this will
work out since it is a newpaper comic, but Aaron Warner is talking to Image
so I find more info as it comes.
   Look out for a Spawn Year One story in Curse of Spawn, in the Spawn ongoing
series, or/and a mini-series. Since Rob Liefeld is out of Image, so is Spawn's
killer Chapel. In the Spawn Movie, Chapel has already been replaced by another
killer, this time a white woman (unnamed as of this writting). More Later.

**Coming and Going** There is quite a bit of moving around at Image...  **Jeff
Smith is leaving Image and is bringing Bone back to his Cartoon Books company.
"Cartoon Books' original reasons to for moving to Image have evaporated,"
Smith stated. Cartoon Books will restart publishing with Bone #28 in March
'97.  **Matt Wagner is bring his popular Mage series to Image. There will be
only one character from the original Comico series (Kevin Matchstick) who will
appear at Image and there will be a new Mage to guide him. Mage II: The Hero
Defined will be in stores in July '97.  **Tony Daniel (from X-Force,
Spawn:Bloodfeud, and Tales of Witchblade) creates a new series called The
Tenth. I'm not sure what it's about, but looks cool. Beu Smith will help will
the writing and development and Kevin Conrad will ink. Issue #1 will hit
stores in February '97  **Randy Queen's Darkchylde will move to Image after
Rob Liefeld's cancelation to make his Maximum Press Line "lighten up".
Darkchylde will not only have the Image "I" on the cover, but it will also
have a smaller price tag too (at $2.50). Other changes will be that there will
be more story pages and it will be printed on better paper stock (same kind
as Spawn). Issue #4 will be in stores in February '97.  **Jim Valentino is
sponsoring three titles to be published at Image. Along with previous
mentioned The Adventures of Arron, Age of Heroes (formally of Halloween
Comics) will come to Image with issue #3. This fantasy story is written by
James D. Hudnall and drawn by John Rigway. Soulwind by Scott Morse will also
come to Image with Jim's help (I've never heard of it and I haven't gotten
anymore info then that).

**WildNews** First thing, WildCATs/X-Men # is coming out this February
(COOL!). Issues #1&4 are done by Image and #2&3 by Marvel (all written by
Scott Lobdell). The four issue mini-series tells the tales of the many crossed
paths since the second world War. Issue #1 , co-written, penciled, and inked
by Travis Charest is when Logan (aka Wolverine) meets Zealot to fight some
Nazi Daemonites. Look out for issue #4 drawn by Jim Lee. **Gen13 Bootleg has
came out. **Gen13 Bootleg has came out. The art is typical Alan Davis and Mark
Farmer. Issue #3 (out in January) will be a fantasy story by Dan Norton (Black
Ops). Issue #4 (out in February) will be a crossover with Weapon Zero written
by Walt and Louise Simonson with pencils and inks by Walt. Then comes the
story written by Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise) with art by Tom Coker
(Gen13/Maxx). Then after that will be stories by Adam Warren, and maybe Adam
Hughs among others. **Similar to Bootleg, WildStorm Spotlight will feature
high profile creators in rotating story arcs. It will feature various
characters from WildStorm in various times and places. The first story is an
ALAN MOORE story, drawn by Carlos D'Anda, about the end of all time with all
the stars dead and Majestros (and another WildCAT) being the only survivor.
**There has been a lot of rumors about who will be writing WildCATs. Will Alan
Moore stay on, will Garth Ennis take time from his busy schedule to replace
Moore, will Brandon Choi return, or will somebody completely different take
over? Barbara Kesel is writing a two issue story arc that will lead to Savant
Garde which she will write. There are words that Moore and Charest will have
a spin off series from the Gang War storyline. What will really end up
happening??? Only time will tell... which means... more later.

There yet another comic moving to Image... Jinx Moves from Caliber Press to
Image! More Later.

**He puts the Mage in Image (and other new comics)** Matt Wagner explians that
The new Mage series "The hero difined" will be a 15 issue maxi-series written
and drawn by him. Mage II should be out by June. Matt also insures fans that
Grendel will continue to come out at Dark Horse with new stories of Hunter
Rose.  **Yet another book to be added to the Image list is Anina Bennet's
HEARTBREAKERS. Heartbreakers is currently offered as a mini-series at Dark
Horse. More Later.

**Image vs. Rob Liefeld** Todd McFarlane states in a Wizard interview that
there was a unoffical preliminary vote to kick Rob Liefeld out two weeks
before the offical Board of Directors meeting. Rob knew that and retired
before Image chould make it offical. Todd also states that Rob's lawsuit
against Image is because Rob is "because he either won't or can't pay us money
he owes us." Todd further states, "Rob Liefeld, as acreative guy, really
started losing his shine almost immediately at Image... Every thing was got
on the wrong foot and it never seemedc like he was able to get back on track."
he continues (with the best quote ever) "I think the need to make this clear.
I will quit Image Comics... I will quit this industry... before I let that
kid back at Image. You can put that in bold leters. over my dead body will
that kid come back to Image."

**WildNews 2** It is confirmed that Alan Moore is leaving WildCATs, but it
is also confirmed that Garth Ennis isn't taking over. The new writer is still
unknown. The write to the JLA/WildCATs will be Grant Morrison with art by
Howard Porter and John Dell. It will feature a time story that will confuse
the heck out of everybody.

**More New Images** Jim Valentino adds more titles to the black and white line
of small press titles at Image. Another story from Calibur is making the move.
This time it is Joe Pruett's Dusty Star which ran a couple of issues of
Negitive Burn. Bagder also makes its move from Dark Horse to Image. James A.
Owen will also take his Starchild to Image. James will start a new story arc
called Metropolis and will reprint his Awakening story arc. Zander Cannon will
rename his Replacement God to Land of Num when he moves to Image. More later.

**Dueling Dragons** There will be two Savage Dragon issues produced in
Febuary. One beging the regular series and the other being a new mini-series
called Red Horizon written and drawn by Mike Miller. In this mini-series
Dragon will face some major damage.

**Changing of the Garde** WildCATs will spin-off into another team lead by
Savant. Members includes Majestic, Cybernary, and other new characters. The
team membership will be constantly changing with each story arc. Issue #1 will
be in stores in March.

**Freak Reoccurance** Back by popular demand, Freak Force #1 Vol.2!!! It'll
be written by Rrik himself and drawn by Andy Kun. It's also in full color,
unlike Vangaurd (which I found disapointing). The story tells Freak Forces
thoughest foes joining up to make Frighting Force. Also Star joins the team.
Issue #1 will hit stores in March.

Calibur is lossing a lot of tiltes to Image. As earlier reported Jinx and
Dusty Star has made the move. Now there are two more titles from Calibur that
will also go to Image. Ship of Fools, by writer/artist Michael Avon Oeming
breaks from Caliber to join Image. There is also rumors (unconfremed at this
time) that RIB will also go to Image.

What is RIB? I thought I was familiar with Caliber titles, but I don't
recognize that one.

well, I'm on a mailing list that said that it was going to Image from Calibur
and that it was going from it own self published company to Calibur... It said
both, but only one can be true. I'll try to find the real truth soon, but for
now the futer of RIB is unknown.

What is RIB about?

I'm not sure since I haven't read it, but I've seen it around the store
acouple of times. I could do a little research about it if you want.

I'd like to know. I'm always looking for interesting comics. I'll see if
Underworld or Vault has a copy.

Still more titles to add to the list of the growing line of Image black and
white comics: Bliss Alley, a new book written and illustrated by William
Messner-Loebs (his first series illustration work since Journey) Bill has
previously wrote jobs for Image including Maxx and Maximage. Childhood's End
by Malcolm Bourne and Jim Calafiore, Ragmop by Rob Walton, and a new unnamed
title by Richard Case are all titles coming to Image. And I confermed that
Ship of Fools by Bryan Glass and Michael Avon Oeming is coming to Image, but
no RIB. I have more info on Soulwind's creator Scott Morses. Morse is an art
director at Universal Cartoon Studios when he's not busy writing and
illustrating his own limited series which will premire in March.

Well it's been a while since I've updated Image news. It's hard because
everytime I report a new tittle coming to Image, there's three more that pop
up. Erik Larsen sponcered a few titles to Image like Jim did. On his list we
got Hellshock that came out last week (or this Wednesday if you live in the
New England states). It was the best comic I have ever read. Creator Jae Lee
stated that the first series was rushed and premature. The new series ROCKS.
It was beautifully drawn and the color was painted. The story was more like
a chapter in a novel. The story was about this woman and her experances when
intering at a mental hospital. It was pure drama. Hell, even my mom (who has
never read a comic in her life) read it and loved it. PICK THIS COMIC UP!
   Another comic the Erik is publishing is Firstman. This is a comic from Andy
(Bart Sears Clone) Smith. There's not much to say about this book but to say
there is lots of blouging heroes with a cosmic battle or something.
  Then there is Headhunters also brought to you by Erik. It created, written,
and drawn by Chris (WildStar) Marrinan. The Headhunters are superheros that
track down ogres, demons, inhuman stuff. Kind of a X-Files meets Watchmen.
Both Firstman and Headhunters will come out in April.
   There are more titles to add to Jim Valentino's b&w small press line at
Image. As reported Dusty Star is coming to Image starting with #0. It's
burleque shows, robots, space ships, new wave cowboys, attitudes, and guns.
In other words it's a western, sci-fi, adventure, comdey.
   Then there's Amanada and Gunn by Jimmie Robinson. It's Montana, 2036 and
bodies arre showing up. Everybodies is a suspect, even ex-cop Amanda Shane.
   Another comic from Halloween Comics goes to Image with Espers Vol.3 by
James D. Hudnall and Greg Horn. Dusty Star #0, Amanda and Gunn #1, and Espers
Vol. 3 #1 will all come out in April.
   Here's a little info for Mike... RIB by Andrew M. Ford and Mike Kelleher
is a award winning comic (I not sure which award) self published at Mythic
Comics. It is either going to Image or Calibur (most likely Calibur). Diamond
states: "With humor, pathos, and humanity, Rib explores a world that hates
him, looking for the truth about his people." Diamond also says it's like
Cerebus and Bone (but what indy isn't?).
   For those who loves the Maxx but can't get back issues... Sam Kieth is
colecting 7-12 into a trade paperback in Apirl. Also colected in Apirl is the
Leave it to Chance TPB reprinting the first four issues.
   Jim Lee is penciling StormWatch #47. I don't know why, he's is really busy
penciling Fanastic Four AND WildCats (whisch has been late). In this issue
of StormWatch Jim Lee Draws an all splash page comic which features a mission
which goes terrible wrong and only one makes it out alive.
   Also be on a really cool Savage Dragon 1/2 offer in Wizard 69. This is
written and drawn by Erik Larsen himself with a flashback squence done by them
Big Bang guys.

- Backtalk version 1.3.30 - Copyright 1996-2006, Jan Wolter and Steve Weiss