Wednesday, January 23, 2002

IMAGE COMICS FOR APRIL

Following are Image Comics' solicitations for April, with information coming from the company.

THE 10TH MUSE #11

Written by Darren G. Davis, art and cover Roger Cruz.

"The Endgame." All is back to normal in the DA's office and Emma has a moment to breathe, or at least she thinks she does. She is working on a case that she has a moral dilemma with. Just when she thought that she can have a night's sleep, a new group of super villains are making their presence known in San Francisco. "The Endgame" plays the Muse to her limits. She must juggle all of this including having her parents stop by for the weekend. Extra: Part II of the Orion the Hunter solo story. His hunt for Medusa is at a dead end. Very dead. Written by Scott Davis and penciled by Deon Nuckols.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 24.

ATHENA INC. #1

Written by Brian Haberlin, art by Jay Anacleto.

Witness a life out of balance. Gwen Morse is a member of the globetrotting elite, moving from one gala to the next. She's the paparazzo's darling - traveling to the most exotic locations, dining on the finest food, rubbing elbows with the biggest celebrities. One would think Gwen had the perfect life. But being a trendsetter is, well, boring - at least to Gwen. She dreams of another life, one where she's an international spy. The danger. The intrigue. But, as they say, be careful what you wish for. Because what she doesn't know is -- well, that would be telling.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 10.

BASTARD SAMURAI #1

Written by Mike Oeming and Miles Gunter, art by Kelsey Shannon, inked by Mike Oeming and cover by Shannon.

Bastard Samurai takes place in present-day Manhattan and focuses on Jiro, a killer at the top of his class at the Kozu sword school. The underground training camp in midtown takes in orphans and twists them into Bushido warriors. The Yakuza stage death matches across the city rooftops where Japanese businessmen gamble heavily on the always-fatal outcome. Jiro's status allows him the best that Manhattan offers, but he is forever on the tight leash of his superiors: always followed, always watched. The killing life is all he has ever known, but a rendezvous with fate is about to change all that. With graduation in sight, Jiro experiences a vision while meditating that sets a sequence of events in motion that will take him beyond his own limits- and change him forever.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 10.

BLOOD LEGACY: THE NOVEL

Written by Kerri Hawkins.

"Vampires aren't real, but the ones who inspired the legend find the myth very amusing." Dr. Susan Ryerson, a young doctor at the forefront of genetic research, stumbles across an unconscious woman with mortal injuries. But impossibly, the woman returns to life, and Dr. Ryerson discovers that she has crossed paths with something that is more than human. Ryan Alexander, her enigmatic patient, possesses extraordinary capabilities, an inconceivable anatomy, and a devastating charisma. She draws Susan into a violent and erotic world that places both the doctor and her young son in danger. Ryan, through her vivid dreams and through the memories of the others, relives her six centuries of life, all the while knowing that history is accelerating to catch up with her. And Susan can only wonder what one so powerful could possibly be afraid of - Blood Legacy. Six centuries of questions that only the novel can answer.

304 pages, black and white, $6.95, in stores on April 24.

DEFIANCE #2

Written by Douglass Barre and Joey Lee, art and cover by Kano Kang and Zack Suh.

"The Messenger" Part Two of Four. The federal mayor of New York is working for Hell, and now the Devil's got a job for him: kill the Messenger. Can Ivan still find out why he was raised from the dead while running from both the National Guard and swarms of hellborn demons? And why is the only person who can save him the strange little girl in the ragged dress? All this --.and Lym engages in political debate with a bum.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 3.

FATHOM #15

Written by Michael Turner and Bill O'Neil, penciled by Turner, inked by Jonathan Sibal, colored by Peter Steigerwald.

While Aspen tangled with Vana, events set in motion by Killian's Blue Sun have begun to take shape. Chance's "unauthorized absence" is over. The Admiral has laid groundwork for his revenge on the Water People. Cannon, reeling from his encounter with Vana, leads Aspen to the city of her birth. And fifty-year fallout from the formation of the Dissidents will damage Aspen in ways she never could've expected. Yes, it's the beginning of The Next Big Arc.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on April 24.

G.I. JOE # 5

Written by Josh Blaylock, art by Eric Hanson, inked by John Larter, cover by Steve Kurth.

This issue takes place before the events of issue one and finally gives us a glimpse into the super-spy life of Duke before reinstating the Joe team. Better yet, this overseas adventure pits the Joe Sergeant against Cobra's most ruthless British mercenary, Major Bludd. This is a stand-alone issue and a great jumping-on point for readers who missed the first story arc. Fill-in artist Eric Hanson (Tellos) takes the reigns while Steve Kurth does the cover.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 3.

G.I.JOE: BATTLE FILES #1

Written by Scott Wherle, art by Steve Kurth, Josh Blaylock, Eric Hanson, Mike Norton, Tim Seeley, inked by Barb Schulz and John Larter, cover by David Beck.

G.I. Joe Battle Files is a three issue "who's who" style mini-series focusing on the members of the Joe and Cobra teams, as well as their vehicles. If the success of the G.I. Joe Convention Special is any indication, expect fans to love this book. Issue one focuses on the Joes, issue two on Cobra, and issue three on vehicles and tech gear. Full of information on each character, including updated ranks and bios. Atten-hut! It's everything you ever wanted to know about America's elite fighting force as the first issue of Battle Files kicks off with a focus on the Joes themselves. From your old favorites to the new blood, this is an invaluable resource for any G.I. Joe fan.

48 pages, $5.95, in stores on April 17.

IMAGE INTRODUCES...CRYPTOPIA

Written by Benjamin Raab, art by Pat Quinn, inked by John Lowe and Mostafa Moussa, cover by Quinn.

Cryptopia is the story of Dr. Shannon Palmer, a cryptozoologist whose insatiable quest for hidden species jeopardizes her work, her colleagues, and her the last remaining vestiges of her self-respect. It's a high-adventure parable about the fine line dividing Man and Beast, the dark parallels between us and the creatures with which we share our worldâ¤|and the tragic realization that all that really sets us apart from the animal kingdom are a pair of opposable thumbs. Bigfoot. The Loch Ness Monster. Yetis. Chupacabras. To most people, these bizarre creatures are the stuff of myths, legends and hoaxes. But to Dr. Shannon Palmer and her crack team of cryptozoologists, they're as real as any animal in the zoo. And they're gonna prove it by embarking upon an expedition to the mysterious island where these hidden species dwell. A trip that's certain to change their lives and careers forever -- if they survive.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 3.

KABUKI VOL VI: SCARAB HARDCOVER

Written by David Mack, art by Rick Mays, cover by Mack.

Kabuki:Scarab (collecting Kabuki Agents: Scarab #1-8) picks up right where Kabuki Vol 5: Metamorphosis left off and answers all the mysteries left dangling from that series. And Scarab is still a self-contained story, so even new readers can start with it. More than the original issues, this handsome 256 page archival hardcover includes a gallery of covers (including the Quesada variant), new pin ups, sketches and character designs, embossed cover, a brand new dust jacket painting by David Mack, and an insightful introduction by Paul Pope.

256 pages, black and white, $29.95, in stores on April 17 (Limited edition, signed and number with original sketch, $59.95.

MIDNIGHT NATION #11

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, penciled by Gary Frank, inked by Jonathan Sibal, cover by Matt Milla.

The battle is coming to a head. Will David Grey keep his soul AND be able to save the life of Laurel? The end of their journey is here and all of their hopes and dreams rely on the outcome of this last test.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on April 24.

OBERGEIST: DIRECTORS' CUT TPB

Written by Dan Jolley, penciled by Tony Harris, inked by Ray Snyder, colored by Matt Hollingsworth.

Intercutting the six-issue "Ragnarok Highway" miniseries with the flashbacks of "The Empty Locket" special, "Obergeist: Directors' Cut" presents the full story of JÃ*rgen Steinholtz - and features a crucial scene present in neither the mini nor the one-shot. With half-tone colors added to previously black-and-white art and an introduction by Bruce Campbell, get the full story here for the first time.

192 pages, $19.95, in stores on April 10.

POWERS #20

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, art by Mike Avon Oeming.

"The Supergroup Saga," conclusion. One of the greatest supergroups in the world has been virtually destroyed in front of the world. But the fallout for walker and Deena is much more personal than they ever thought it would be. An issue that will change Powers forever.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 17.

RADIX #3

Written and art by Ray and Ben Lai, Brian Reber. Val continues on her journey to unravel the mystery behind her visions. During a covert rescue operation, Val runs into an old acquaintance who holds answers about their past together and about Radix. Can she trust her old ally? Is he there to help her or does he have an ulterior motive?

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 3.

SAVAGE DRAGON #98

By Erik Larsen.

A rift has been opened in time and space and the Savage Dragon returns to the world he left behind! But having spent years in the ravaged Savage World, how has this world progressed without him? What startling changes have taken place during his absence? And who has taken his place? The answers will shock and confound, The startling saga that leads up to the record setting 100th issue continues.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 17.

SPAWN #121

Written by Brian Holguin and Todd McFarlane, penciled by Angel Medina, inked by Danny Miki, cover by Greg Capullo and McFarlane.

"The Devil His Due." Everything's changed now. Spawn has faced his darkest moment since returning to Earth and he's barely come through. Betrayed by those he trusted most, stunned by secrets of his life as Al Simmons, stripped of his Hell-borne legacy, Spawn is reduced to a mere shadow of himself. And the ordeal keeps getting worse. The Usurper of the Throne of Hell has plans of his own for the errant Hellspawn. Caught amid this storm of lies and intrigue, battered from every side, the Spawn now has only one goal: to survive.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on April 24.

TEKKEN FOREVER: #2

Written by Dave Chi, art by Paco Diaz, inked by Dark Design Works.

The Iron Fist Tournament has finally begun, and friends, along with bitter enemies, clash to shape it's outcome. 1st round matches places Paul Phoenix against King the 2nd, Forrest Law against Eddy Gordo and Jin Kazama up against Hwoarang in an all or nothing match to see who is worthy to face Heihachi Mishima. But the mysterious fighter, Unknown, and the God of Fight (Toshin), have other plans for the competitors.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 10.

TOMB RAIDER #21

Written by John Ney Reiber, penciled by Randy Green, inked by Jonathan Sibal, colored by Jonathan Smith.

Follow Lara high in Tibet to the Taktsang Ravine where she searches for the Black Mandala. A new artistic team starts their run with this well-loved character and they're bringing even more of the signature game moves and puzzles to the book.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on April 17.

TOMB RAIDER JOURNEYS #4

Written by Fiona Avery, penciled by Drew Johnson, Inked by Jay Leisten, colored by Jonathan D. Smith, cover by Adam Hughes.

"Déjà vu," Lara Croft's about to learn that turnabout's fair play. Kagan has been waiting for an opportunity to get even with her for meddling in the affairs of the Sodom and Gomorrah excavation. Now, he gets his chance. Only it turns out during their face-to-face encounter that Lara, and then Kagan, seem to remember each other from someplace before. And with that memory, comes the realization that sometimes even the joy of the hunt can be more powerful than the joy of revenge.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 3.

UNIVERSE #7

Written by Paul Jenkins, penciled by Clayton Crain, inked by Jonathan Glapion, colored by Steve Firchow.

Tom Judge is confronted with the stark reality that he alone must choose a successor to the Devil. Power over the Inferno itself awaits the chosen one -- perhaps Hell's new dictator will be the one who best knows how to make a deal. Let the cruelest, sneakiest and most unpleasant demon win, and we're not talking about Wall Street, folks. Enter a twilight world of insider trading and paradigm shifts, where economic trends are defined by the goodness of a man's soul, and the one with the most toys wins. Plus, a special sneak preview of next summer's debut from Top Cow: Alex Ross' Battle of the Planets.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on April 17.

WITCHBLADE #55

Written by David Wohl, penciled by Francis Manapul, inked by D-Tron, colored by Steve Firchow.

As Sara and Jake continue their investigation into the brutal slayings in the mob world, they realize what's behind it all is way more insidious than they thought - especially when their search leads them to the nefarious and deadly assassin known as Tora No Shi. Meanwhile, Nottingham, now separated from Sara, finds comfort in a familiar place.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on April 10.