IMAGE COMICS FOR APRIL

Image Comics has released its solicitation information for April.

Following is a rundown:

ALTERNATION #3

Written by F.G. Haghenbeck, art by Carlos Barberi, covers by Barberi and Francisco Medina.

During a great battle, Annie Oakley and the Automated Tin Man rescue Billy the Kid and Matthew Henson from the clutches of General Custer's Imperial Army and his T-Rex, "Sue." Meanwhile, Samuel Clemens realizes it's becoming more and more difficult to be an adventurer with a sense of humor during wartime: He must make a fateful decision to in order to stop the Empire once and for all and prevent Rasputin from getting his hands on the Atomic Machine at the North Pole.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 7.

BAD IDEAS #1

Written by Wayne Chinsang, art and cover by Jim Mahfood and Dave Crosland.

Has every idea already been done? Probably. Is that stopping comic book artists Jim Mahfood and Dave Crosland from working on a comic project with writer Wayne Chisang? Nope! So what kind of creative madness happens when you put two bright minds (and Dave Crosland together? Bad ideas. Literally. But trite concepts and fanboys be damned! This three-man tag-team is determined to work on a project togetherŠeven if it kills Dave.

In this issue we learn who killed J.R.! Also, we find out what happens when you put two artists and an author together at Wizard World Chicago, and leave them alone with a camera. You'll never guess what these guys did once the tape started rolling! This issue is packed with: fat kids, superheroes, Donald Rumsfeld, a flying banana, a talking dragon, tiny ankles and lots of teeth. Funny thing is: They're not kidding.

48 pages, black and white, $5.95, in stores on April 7.

BLOODSTREAM #3

Written by Adam Shaw and Penny Register, art and cover by Shaw.

Dr. Evers plans to capture Amber, now a living vessel of the precious Hemosyth technology, at her former place of employment, but she proves to be a very lethal vessel.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 7.

CASEFILES: SAM & TWITCH #12

Written by Marc Andreyko, art by Paul Lee, cover by Greg Capullo.

"Skeletons," Part Six. The shocking finale to the second story arc. Sam faces ghosts from his past and demons in the present. Will an assassin's bullet change everything or will detectives Burke and Williams prevent even more blood from being spilled?

32 pages, black and white, $2.50, in stores on April 7.

DAWN: 2004 CONVENTION SKETCHBOOK

Written and illustrated by Joseph Michael Linsner, cover by Linsner.

Another year, another con season, another Dawn: Convention Sketchbook. Due to overwhelming fan response, this year's sketchbook is different, including more behind-the-scenes looks at the actual creation process at Linsner's drawing board. Exclusive, never-before-seen artwork from his sketchbooks and sneak peeks at upcoming works will make this comic gallery a must-have for any Linsner fan.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 28.

DIORAMAS, A LOVE STORY GN

Written by Mark Ricketts, art by Dario Brizuela, cover by Vince Locke.

How does serial killer Winfield Vickers express his love for Charlotte Ramage? He creates elaborate, life-sized dioramas using real, dead human subjects.

144 pages, $12.95, in stores on April 14.

FRANKENSTEIN MOBSTER #3

Written and art by Mark Wheatley, covers by Wheatley and Jerry Ordway.

The Frankenstein Mobster is working for the mob tonight, under mystic control. Frankie is shaking down a pair of goblins by slapping them around. And he hates it. But Fate is about to give him a way to fight back.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 7.

HAWAIIAN DICK: THE LAST RESORT #4

Written by B. Clay Moore, art and cover by Steven Griffin.

Things go from bad to really, really bad as rival gangs tear through the Last Resort in a revenge match for the ages. Complicating matters are the angry spirits of Hawaiian dead, risen from their graves and evidently impervious to gangland bullets. Byrd, Mo and Kahami focus on one goal: escaping alive before the entire bay explodes in a bullet-fueled spectacle of supernatural fury.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 14.

INVINCIBLE #12

Written by Robert Kirkman, art by Ryan Ottley, cover by Cory Walker.

"Perfect Strangers," conclusion. Mark's world comes crashing down around him. After the events of last issue, Mark is left wondering how he'll survive. You have front row seats as Mark comes face to face with the most deadly foe of his short-lived superhero career. It's all been leading up to this, and you do not want to miss this issue.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 21.

KABUKI: THE ALCHEMY #2

Written and illustrated by David Mack, cover by Mack.

After escaping the institution, Kabuki follows Akemi's directions to meet someone who can give her a new identity and a ticket out of the country to evade the Noh. But just who is this mysterious new character?

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 21.

KANE, VOL. 2: RABBIT HUNT TP

Written and illustrated by Paul Grist, cover by Grist.

It's a bad day for Mister Floppsie Whoppsie, New Eden's self-styled Rabbit for Hire. The freelance rabbit business isn't going as well as it should. He's hung over. The rent's due. There's a knock at the door and a gun-wielding homicidal maniac barges into the room. That's when things start to go downhill. Collects Kane #5-8 of the crime comic originally published by Dancing Elephant Press.

144 pages, $12.95, in stores on April 14.

THE LAST STRAW MAN #2

Written by Jim Krueger, art and cover by Brett Weldele.

When Miles Pender dressed like a Scarecrow to escape the Sheriff's men, he never realized it would make the entire city of Hellspite a target for the Mayor's rage. Now, everyone in town is tasting Macreedy's corrupt retribution, and the Last Straw Man is alone, bleeding and dying in a city that's forgotten how to hope.

40 pages, $3.95, in stores on April 14.

MAGE, VOL. 1: THE HERO DISCOVERED HC

Written and illustrated by Matt Wagner.

Just in time for its 20th anniversary, the entire Mage: The Hero Discovered saga is finally collected in one volume -- for the first time ever! Featuring an all-new painted cover by Matt Wagner, this hardcover edition is a must-have not only for long-time fans of this classic tale, but for anyone who has thrilled to Wagner's award-winning work on Grendel, Trinity and Sandman Mystery Theater. Plus: A comprehensive of gallery of Mage covers, development artwork and merchandise.

464 pages, $49.95, in stores on April 21.

MINISTRY OF SPACE #3

Written by Warren Ellis, art and cover by Chris Weston and Laura Martin.

It's the early 21st Century and the Ministry of Space is discovering exactly how red Sir John Dashwood's world is. The British Empire is in orbit, on the Moon and on mars, but it took a lot of blood to get it there. The secret of the Ministry of Space may see the sun finally go down on the empire...

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 14.

NYC MECH #1

Written by Miles Gunter and Ivan Brandon, art by Andy MacDonald, cover by Dave Johnson.

Eight million robots walk the streets, but this isn't science fiction. This is New York City, top to bottom, from a basement in the last Brooklyn ghetto to the clouds above a penthouse suite on Park Avenue. These are robots in agony, ecstasy and everything in-between, searching for love, sex or just enough spare change to get them through the day. Welcome to NYC Mech.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 14.

PATIENT ZERO #2

Written by John McLean-Foreman, art by Brent White.

"Eternityıs Past," part two of four. For over 20 years Dr. Laura Malcom scoffed at Samuel Deighton's horrific visions of a future dominated by intelligent machines, but when the Patient Zero covert genetics facility is invaded by a foreign AI she comes face to face with Deighton's nightmare. Powerless to stop the crushing invasion, she is one of the few people who could save Sam: If only she could find him.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 21.

PHANTOM JACK #2

Written by Mike SanGiacomo, art and cover by Mitchell Breitweiser.

"Back to Baghdad." What would be powerful enough to force reporter Jack Baxter to return to Baghdad, the city of his most shameful defeat? Family. In the weeks before the beginning of the war with Iraq, the invisible reporter risks his life to regain his soul and save his only brother. But who else has to die for Jack to achieve his goal?

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 7.

POWERS, VOLUME 2 #2

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, art and cover by Michael Avon Oeming.

"Legends," part two. A whole new era for Powers. The world's gone straight to hell, and the villains are running rampant. We need a hero, and here she comes... but youıll never believe who it is.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 21.

REX MUNDI #11

Written by Arvid Nelson, art and cover by Eric J.

"The Treasure of the Temple." Julien, a prisoner of the Inquisition, finds an unexpected ally, and at long last recovers the stolen medieval scroll. What secrets does it contain? Rex Mundi: The Treasure of the Temple completes the second story arc of the Rex Mundi saga.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on April 28.

SAVAGE DRAGON, VOL. 6: GANG WAR HC

Written and illustrated by Erik Larsen.

OverLord is dead, and a void needs to be filled. Enter the villainous vermin that dwell in the Windy City, as they vie to see who will take his place at the head of Chicago's most notorious criminal organization, the Vicious Circle. What follows isn't pretty. Collects Savage Dragon #22-26.

144 pages, $49.95, in stores on April 28.

SOMETHING WICKED #4

Written by Jerry Beck, Cameron Corniuk and Tony Vicarro, illustrated by Beck and Aaron Leach, cover by Beck.

"Among the Living," part four. In the series finale, Silas and Abe find themselves with nowhere to run and nowhere to hide as the Messengers of Hate, Team Freedom and Jeremy all converge upon Erieside Manor looking to settle scores with Silas.

32 pages, black and white, $2.95, in stores on April 28.

SPAWN #145

Written by Brian Holguin and Todd McFarlane, art by Angel Medina, cover by Greg Capullo and McFarlane.

"Errant," part three. In order to conquer a timeless evil, Spawn must fulfill a centuries-old oath. But his actions lead to a rift in time, sending the Dark Ages spilling over into the 21st century. Now, in order to set the world right, Hellspawn must battle Hellspawn, as Al Simmons faces off against Lord Covenant, the Dark Ages Spawn. Past, present and future will never be the same again.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on April 28.

THE WALKING DEAD #7

Written by Robert Kirkman, art and cover by Tony Moore.

Winter has come and the decision is made to move the camp to a safer area. With such harsh weather conditions, Rick and company realize the zombies all around them are the least of their worries. As a bad situation somehow gets worse, Rick and his family find themselves wondering, "What next?" What next, indeed...

32 pages, black and white, $2.95, in stores on April 28.

THE WALKING DEAD, VOL. 1: DAYS GONE BYE TP

Written by Robert Kirkman, art and cover by Tony Moore.

An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living. Rick Grimes is not prepared for this. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never fired a shot and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family he must now sort through the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. Collects The Walking Dead #1-6.

144 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on April 21.

TOP COW TITLES

DARKNESS/HULK

Written by Paul Jenkins, penciled and cover by Dale Keown, colored by Matt Milla.

Two alumni of both The Darkness and The Hulk come together to tell this explosive story. The Darkness is a violent killer and the Hulk is a violent pacifist. When those two worlds collide who will remain standing? Can the Darkness stand in the face of the Hulk's brute strength?

32 pages, $2.99.

DARKNESS #10

Written by Ron Marz, penciled by Martin Montiel, colored by Matt Milla, cover by Dale Keown.

Jackie Estacado, the bearer of the Darkness, has become the head of his mafia family. Now, though, he realizes that the mob wars were the least of his problems. Chinese gangsters have put a price on his head in a sweeping new story arc that combine Hong Kong action, the Sopranos, and a heaping helping of the supernatural. Ron Marz takes Jackie on the ride of his life.

32 pages, $2.99.

COMMON GROUNDS #4

Written by Troy Hickman, penciled by Dan Jurgens, Carlos Pacheco and George Perez, cover by Rodolfo Migliari.

Special bonus: Three stories this month -- by comics legends, all -- grace the pages of Troy Hickman's series. Dan Jurgens illustrates the overweight superhero support group, while George Perez takes us inside the superhero reunion. Then Carlos Pacheco shows what happens when heroes become homeless.

32 pages, $2.99.

THE WANTED DOSSIER

Written by Mark Millar, art by various, colored by Paul Mounts, cover by J.G. Jones.

Go behind the curtain of Wanted, the new series by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones, with this one-shot special. All the secrets behind Wanted's bevy of baddies are revealed with text by Millar and illustrations by over a dozen of comics' greatest artists, including Marc Silvestri, Dave Johnson and Bill Sienkiewicz. All this, wrapped in an all-new painted cover by J.G. Jones.

32 pages, $2.99.

STRYKEFORCE #1

Written by Jay Faerber, penciled by Tyler Kirkham, inked by Marlo Alquiza, colored by Brian Buccellato, ACTOR cover by Steve Skroce.

A Top Cow classic superhero series returns, updated and re-energized for the 21st century. Morgan Stryker leads a new team of outlaw heroes-for-hire on dangerous missions around the world, always staying one step ahead of the law. In their first adventure, the Strykeforce team is hired by a recently widowed woman whose young son has mysteriously vanished. But the harder they look for the boy, the more obvious it becomes that some very dangerous people don't want him found. Justice comes with a price -- thank god these guys take credit cards.

32 pages, $2.99.

TOMB RAIDER #41

Written by James Bonny, penciled by Wilson Tortosa, colored by Tyson Wengler, cover by Adam Hughes.

"Tower of Souls," part 1 of 2. Lara Croft travels to the Irish countryside to search for a legendary talisman believed to be buried beneath a medieval castle -- a place which, centuries ago, was the scene of bloodshed and unspeakable tortures. And she discovers that it remains a place of eternal torment for those wretched spirits imprisoned within its towering walls. Part 1 of a blood chilling two-part story arc written by James Bonny.

32 pages, $2.99.

WITCHBLADE #75

Written by David Wohl, art by Francis Manapul

The voting is over. The results are in. You have decided who lives...and who DIES...in this epic double-sized finale to the "Death Pool" story line. It's Sara Pezzini versus Ian Nottingham in a battle of wills--and Witchblades--and someone's not making it out alive. Split cover by Francis Manapul and sexy variant by Dave Nestler.

32 pages, $2.99.