IMAGE COMICS FOR DECEMBER

Following are Image Comics' solicitations for December, with information coming from the publisher.

THE AMAZING JOY BUZZARDS #1

Written by Mark Smith, art and cover by Dan Hipp, back cover by Jim Mahfood.

The Amazing Joy Buzzards are a rock-and-roll adventure band to rival such legends as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. It's all in a hard day's night to fight giant robots and evil witchdoctors, all the while exploring supernatural phenomena with the help of their mythical Mexican wrestler friend El Campeon.

"I was a Teenage Gila Monster!" It may seem like any other dynamic concert for The Amazing Joy Buzzards, but a menacing pink robot with a thirst for revenge has managed to sneak backstage and slip something sinister into the drink of Stevo, the bass player. Once consumed, the nefarious concoction mutates Stevo into a giant Gila Monster! The mutated Gila-Stevo runs amok through the city in an epic rampage the likes of which not seen since Godzilla. The remaining members of the band must find a way to locate and rescue their giant-sized bandmate before it's too late! What are the intentions of the evil pink robot and why does he want The Amazing Joy Buzzards dead? Will our gang make it to Stevo before he meets a King Kong-esque fate?

32 pages, black, white and pink pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 15.

ASCEND GN

Written by Keith Arem and Scott Cuthbertson, art by Christopher Shy.

Set in a near-future metropolis, Ascend tells the dark, intriguing and seductive story of three banished angels waging an epic war on Earth. Sebastian, Gideon and Seraphine are exiled from Heaven and forced to live among mortals. The three angels soon separate and seek a new path to return them home. Still bound by their angelic instincts, the three find they are still drawn to humans about to ascend.

Longing to become human, Sebastian rejects his former existence, and falls in love with a mortal, Rebeka. Fascinated by his newfound power over mortals, Gideon soon shows an aptitude for taking human souls and finds himself ruler of a new army, poised to storm the gates of their former empire. Seraphine struggles to live amongst humans and foresees that her fate is linked to her fallen siblings. As Gideon¹s powers grow, Sebastian and Seraphine realize they must deny their new life and confront their brother, fuelling an epic struggle that threatens to destroy the universe.

120 pages, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 8.

BATTLE HYMN #1

Written by B. Clay Moore, art by Jeremy Haun and Ande Parks, colored by Dave Bryant, cover by Haun and Brian Frey.

1944. In the waning days of World War II, at the dawn of the nuclear age, super-powered beings are beginning to emerge from the shadows of conflict, beginning with the arrival of the Artificial Man. The United States government has a plan to turn these new arrivals into heroes. But someone forgot to tell the heroes the plan.

After the appearance of these strange and powerful figures across the land and sea, the government begins to bring them all together. But for what purpose? In this issue we catch our first glimpse of the five figures who have been chosen as they take their first steps toward unleashing a frightening new era.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 1.

BURGLAR BILL #2

Written, art and cover by Paul Grist.

After a violent confrontation followed by a night in the local police cells, Burglar Bill is looking to lay low and keep out of trouble. His fellow cellmate, Wybourn, offers Bill a place to crash for a couple of nights. Unfortunately, Wybourn is in bigger trouble than Bill is! A revised reprint of Burglar Bill originally published by Dancing Elephant press, this issue also includes a bonus six-page Burglar Bill story from 1989!

40 pages, black and white, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 1.

CASE FILES: SAM & TWITCH #15

Written by Marc Andreyko, art by E.J. Su, cover by Greg Capullo.

"Ancient Chinese Secret, Huh?" Part Two of Six. As the vampiric murders continue and the turf wars over the Chinatown heroin trade escalate, not only must Sam and Twitch dodge a hail of gunfire, they must also discover a way to deal with the Chinese undead.

32 pages, black and white, $2.50, in stores on Dec. 1.

CHOLLY AND FLYTRAP #2

Written, art and cover by Arthur Suydam.

"Frantic pacing, grim tension and edgy humor abound. In this whacked-out world, Center City is the belly button lint of remaining society, a final human outpost oozing crime and racial tension between man and machine. Against this backdrop, Suydam's anti-heroes, Cholly and Flytrap find themselves knee-deep in a mucky feud between the city's two power brokers: Siamese twins, the Hobbs brothers and paranoid paraplegic millionaire Ameil Luvitz. When Flytrap is accidentally shanghaied and forced into slavery in a secret fight world, his partner Cholly's odyssey to rescue him from certain doom begins. A groundbreaking and compelling epic told by an ultimate storyteller.

48 pages, $4.95, in stores on Dec. 8.

DESPERADO PRIMER

Written by Paul Jenkins and Tony Harri, art by Adam Hughes, Brian Stelfreeze, Cully Hamner, Phil Hester, Kelsey Shannon, Jason Pearson, Tony Harris, cover by Brian Bolland.

Preview Desperado's amazing new line-up of some of the world's best writers and artists working together on all-new stories, concepts and comic characters! This primer also features two original stories, including an all-star collaboration written by Paul Jenkins with art by Adam Hughes, Brian Stelfreeze, Cully Hamner, Phil Hester, Kelsey Shannon and Jason Pearson. Also featured is Eisner Award winner Tony Harris¹ prelude to his upcoming Desperado project, Roundeye!

32 pages, $1.99, in stores on Dec. 29.

THE DETONATOR #2

Written by Mike Baron, art and cover by Mel Rubi and Barbara Kaalberg.

The Detonator blew up Grindcorps' Hong Kong HQ with surgical precision. He thought he got them all. He was wrong. The Twenty Step Vipers sent master assassin Manglebaum to kill Frank. Oakland PD detective McGill Green thinks Frank's a right-wing whack job. Green's sister died in the bombing of a federal building, and Green thinks Frank may have done it. The Twenty Step Vipers are not at peace with themselves. Chafing at Uncle Yang's conservative ways, Roger Yee has sent his own assassin, Sling Blade, to kill both Frank and Manglebaum. The quiet hamlet of Milford, Montana, is about to explode.

48 pages, $2.50, in stores on Dec. 15.

FLAMING CARROT #1

Written, art and cover by Bob Burden.

Flaming Carrot's No. 1 Image/Desperado issue! (Also FC 33 in Reg. Series) "Crouching Carrot, Hidden Hot Wing!" Flaming Carrot Comics celebrates its 20th Anniversary with an all-new quarterly series! America's first surrealist superhero partners up with the sassy, saucy, former juvenile delinquent, Dynamite Girl, to battle Burden's most asinine villain yet: an eight-foot, anime-loving, poker-playing, baby-eating Hot Wing! Sponge Boy, The Flying Dead Dog and Miniature Abe Lincoln return, with a guest appearance by Mullet Force 6.

32 pages, black and white, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 29.

FORSAKEN #5

Written by Carmen Treffiletti, art, cover and color by Kristian Donaldson, inked by by Nick Zagami.

"The Light of Other Days," Part Five. When the team discovers there is much more to The Separatist's intentions than what they're involved in, they must travel to Krel in the hopes of postponing the treaty. What will happen to the team as we head into the exciting first-arc conclusion? Find out.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 1.

G-MAN #1

Written, art and cover by Chris Giarrusso.

"Learning to Fly." It's the origin of G-Man in an all-new 34-page lead story! Plus, a 30-page collection of Comic Bits, Giarrusso's comic strips featuring G-Man and the gang! It's all here in one great package.

64 pages, $5.95, in stores on Dec. 8.

THE GIFT #9

Written by Raven Gregory, art and cover by Cristina Lopez and Jason Keith.

"Corrupt." When a young group of teens suffers from a case of mistaken identity, only one survives the tragic encounter. But when her path crosses that of the Ancient One, none will be safe from her vengeance...or her gift.

32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Dec. 8.

FRANKENSTEIN MOBSTER #7

Written and illustrated by Mark Wheatley, covers by Wheatley and Bernie Wrightson.

Dead again? The epic climax! The Frankenstein Mobster faces his daughter in the heart-wrenching conclusion to the "Made Man" story arc. See who lives and dies through the worst night Monstros City has ever seen!

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 15.

INVINCIBLE #20

Written by Robert Kirkman, art by Ryan Ottley, cover by Ottley and Bill Crabtree.

For nine years now (or however long it's been since issue #6 came out) readers have been wondering, "What's up with that robot zombie from issue #6?" Well, wonder no longer, because he's in this issue. Mark is on campus at his new college and something is amiss.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 8.

INVINCIBLE, VOL. 2: EIGHT IS ENOUGH TP (2nd PRINTING)

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

The Invincible family finally starts to get a handle on the whole superhero thing, while Mark plans for college and the oft-mentioned Guardians of the Globe are finally introduced in this full-length trade paperback featuring what is undoubtedly the single most shocking and unexpected page in the series thus far. Collects Invincible #5-8.

128 pages, $12.95, in stores on Dec. 8.

JACK STAFF #8

Written, art and cover by Paul Grist.

During the Second World War, the world's bravest heroes, Jack Staff, Sergeant States, Blazing Glory and Tommy Twister joined together to fight against Freedom's Fascist Foe. They called themselves The Freedom Fighters. It's 1942, and the German Army is set to invade Castletown! The only ones who can stop it are the Freedom Fighters, but they have to stop Kapitan Krieg, the Nazi Super Soldier first. The only problem is, he's unstoppable!

32 pages, $3.50, in stores on Dec. 15.

LIBERTY MEADOWS #37

Written, art and cover by Frank Cho.

Frictions arise as Brandy's mother takes charge of the plans for Brandy's wedding. Testosterone and estrogen run high as Ralph and Leslie star in a new public access channel show with Jen. All-new strips. No reprints.

32 pages, black and white, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 8.

LIBERTY MEADOWS, BOOK 2: COMFORTS TP

Written, art and cover by Frank Cho.

Life and love in Liberty Meadows, animal sanctuary, where anything and everything can happen. This is the second collection book of the award-winning comic book series Liberty Meadows. This volume collects issues 10 through 18 of the wildly popular Liberty Meadows comic book. All the comic strips are completely remastered and uncensored. With cover art gallery, extensive sketch and illustration section, plus a complete, never-before-published Liberty Meadows short story. Collects Liberty Meadows #10-18.

144 pages, black and white, $14.95, in stores on Dec. 29.

MIGHTY MAN #1

Written by Erik Larsen and Gary Carlson, art by Mark Englert and Larsen,

Mighty Man's Never Ending War Against Evil. The ten-part serial that ran in the back of Savage Dragon #109-118 is collected and re-mastered. Billy Berman discovers that Ann Stevens received the Mighty Man powers and he wants those powers for himself! Using the weapon from an old foe, Billy transfers the power from the World's Mightiest Man to himself and sets about ending all crime on Earth in the most extreme way possible. When absolute power corrupts, what hope is there for mankind?

80 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 22.

NOBLE CAUSES #6

Written by Jay Faerber, art and cover by Fran Bueno.

All the superhero battles, the danger and the public spotlight have finally gotten to Liz. Is this the end of her marriage to Race? Just how far is he willing to go to keep his true love? Meanwhile, Krennick wrestles with some hard truths about his life, his family and his future. And, on a distant alien world, Frost and Cosmic Rae's unique situation brings them closer together.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 22.

NOBLE CAUSES, VOL. 3: DISTANT RELATIVES TP

Written by Jay Faerber, art and cover by Fran Bueno.

In color for the first time. Journey to a world where the Nobles aren't famous: They're infamous! Frost and Liz meet twisted versions of the world's favorite heroes when they enter a parallel dimension. Frost is on the trail of his father, and Liz is hoping to be reunited with Race, but neither is prepared for what they find. Collects Noble Causes: Distant Relatives #1-4, plus a brand new six-page story.

120 pages, $12.95, in stores on Dec. 22.

PvP #13

Written, art and cover by Scott Kurtz.

It's Christmas time at the PvP offices, but what do you get the techno-nerd who has everything? Cole offers a bonus to anyone that can make Brent, the office Scrooge, feel the Christmas Spirit. But what, if anything, could penetrate Brent's cold, cynical heart? Jade has a few ideas of her own.

32 pages, black and white, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 1.

PvP, VOL. 2: PvP RELOADED TP

Written, art and cover by Scott Kurtz.

Hormonal teenagers, super-intelligent trolls, employees in custody and Monkeys. Just your average day at the offices of PvP Magazine. Includes sketches, cover gallery and a look behind the scenes of creating a daily comic strip. Collects PvP, Vol. 2 #7-12.

144 pages, black and white, $11.95, in stores on Dec. 1.

QUIXOTE NOVEL

Written by Michael Avon Oeming and Bryan J.L. Glass, spot illustrations by Oeming.

Could Don Quixote be real? Television reporter Dominique Angel uncovers the story of a crusading street vagrant she dubs "Quixote" due to his rambling discourses on morality and righteousness. This modern-day quixotic knight believes street punks are monsters, government agents are demons in disguise and Dom's own boss is the very Devil himself. Soon he is wanted for murder and seems to be at the center of a vast shadowy conspiracy. But as Dom finds herself caught up in a world of intrigue and suspense, she realizes she's in danger of believing the truth as Quixote sees it, and that supernatural forces may be fighting for her very soul. Is Quixote merely a madman, or might he truly be an ancient mystical warrior reborn into the modern age?

This 300-page novel written by Michael Avon Oeming and playwright Bryan J.L. Glass is heavily illustrated with spot illos and full-page splashes, blurring the lines between comic and novel.

400 years in the making, the release of this modern-day retelling of Don Quixote coincides with the fourth centennial anniversary of the classic Cervantes novel. Fighting on city rooftops with demons and monsters, the story and art deliver a punch to the gut and a light to the mind.

304 pages, black and white, $9.95, in stores on Dec. 15.

SAVAGE DRAGON #121

Written and art by Erik Larsen.

"The Running Man," Part Three: The Day After. The awful aftermath. Chaos ensues as the new Commander In Chief contends with friends and foes alike. It's a whole new role for our fin-headed hero. The contenders on all sides are shocked by the results and waste no time challenging them. Makes that whole "hanging chad" debacle from four years back look like a walk in the park. Plus a Jennifer Dragon story by Erik Larsen and Clint Hilinski set in the days just prior to her reappearance in Chicago.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 22.

SMALL GODS #6

Written by Jason Rand, art and cover by Juan E. Ferreyra.

"Dead Man's Hand," Part Two. Bobby Pope, psychic and con artist, is recruited by Detective Theodore Irvine of the Denver PD for a 'simple' job. When things go wrong and the job turns into a shootout, Bobby becomes a witness‹and a liability. On the run, Bobby turns to the one person who may be able to save him, if she doesn't kill him first.

32 pages, black and white, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 29.

SPAWN #141

Written by Brian Holguin and Todd McFarlane, art by Nat Jones and Jay Fotos, cover by Greg Capullo.

"Hellbound," Part 3. It was an act of desperation, a mad folly undertaken with the purest of intentions. A childhood friend, bound in the chains of Hell, a single chance to make things right again. Now, with the power of the Hellspawn at her disposal, Nyx transverses the wastelands of Hell in search of the soul of her friend Thea. But she soon learns that releasing her friend from damnation may require a measure of cruelty Nyx did not prepare for. Includes a special appearance by the Redeemer.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Dec. 29.

SYLVIA FAUST #3

Written by Jason Henderson, art and cover by Greg Scott.

"Fade." Tim and Sylvia's relationship heats up as the denizens of the world-famous Apocalypse Drafthouse prepare for a back-breaking, mind-melting, 24-hour movie marathon. But into this reality has come Fade, a charming Prince from Sylvia's home dimension who doesn't intend to go back home without Sylvia. Weird and snarky magic romance.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 22.

TALES OF TELLOS #3

Written by Todd Dezago, art by Howard Porter, John Livesay and Mauricet, cover by Mike Wieringo.

Now this is the way to close out a miniseries. First off is the conclusion to the epic tale 'The Legend of OGE K'Tion' as Todd and Belgian phenom Mauricet (Cross-Overs) relate the terrific and terrifying origin of the man who would become The Warrior of the Light! Then it's the tale that everyone's been waiting for as Dezago and Porter reveal Jared's fate now that he's back in the 'real' world, and how Jarek could ever get back to Tellos! This is it, folks! The one that leads directly into Second Coming.

As is usual with Tellos books, this three-issue series contains secrets, clues and twists that weave their way throughout the series. Don't think you know it all. And each of these issues is graced with a cover by Tellos co-creator Mike Wieringo.

32 pages, $3.50, in stores on Dec. 15.

ULTRA #5

Written by Jonathan Luna and Joshua Luna, art and cover by Jonathan Luna.

"Seven Days," Part Five. And you thought your Monday sucked...

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 15.

VICTORY, VOL. 2 #3

Written by Robert Marcelo and Petra Leao, art by Edu Francisco, covers by Francisco and Attila Adorjany.

The Dark Force has been revealed to be the mysterious GOD of Vanity from Victoria's past. He has taken the twins, Eddie and Roger, into the book of Tomes to lure Victoria into his world, and the crew of Victory soon discovers that the game can no longer be taken lightly. Now they must enter a world long forgotten, a world not bound by mortal rules. To increase their chances of success, the group transforms into their RPG counterparts to rescue Eddie and Roger and to defeat the God of Vanity‹a task easier said than done.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 8.

VICTORY, VOL. 2 #3

Written by Robert Marcelo and Petra Leao, art by Edu Francisco, covers by Francisco and Roger Cruz.

The God of Vanity and the master of the Dark Force have controlled the game from the beginning, and now they have begun to change the forgotten fantasy of Arton into a reality. While monsters roam the earth attacking innocent people, Victoria and the others fight for their lives within the book of Tome. Now Victoria is faced with the choice of destroying her only means of returning home or letting her former love have his sweet revenge. The choices are not easy ones for a heart as lonely as hers.

32 pages, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 29.

THE WALKING DEAD #15

Written by Robert Kirkman, art by Charlie Adlard, cover by Tony Moore.

The epic tale of survival continues. Rick Grimes is on a mission. He's got a long road ahead of him and many obstacles in his way, but he's determined. There's a lot resting on his shoulders. He cannot fail. He must not fail. Too much depends on it.

32 pages, black and white, $2.95, in stores on Dec. 1.

THE WALKING DEAD, VOL. 1: DAYS GONE BYE TP (2nd PRINTING)

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

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, $9.95, in stores on Dec. 1.

WATERLOO SUNSET #3

Written by Andrew Stephenson, art and cover by Trevor Goring.

"Pilgrim Tale" and "Dead Dog Parties." The Cartel has agreed to meet Earth's emissary. The Hunter must guide her there through desert, badlands and deadly wildlife, trailed by all-too-capable enemies with unclear motives.

56 pages, black and white, $6.95, in stores on Dec. 22.

WILDGUARD: FIRE POWER #1

Written and art by Todd Nauck, art by Sean Galloway and Tim Kane. cover by E-House.

As the team settles into its headquarters, the media is curious how it will function with two flame-based heroes in the roster. The scrutiny could prove too much for one teammate. It's a "baptism by fire" as WildGuard faces the menace of Blacktop. Plus: "Where are They Now?" Little Miss Sunshine proved her popularity by taking sixth place in the reader vote. Now, back in her hometown in Florida, college students are disappearing. Our heroine patrols the night hoping to stop this unknown menace from claiming its next victim.

32 pages, $3.50, in stores on Dec. 22.