The first issue of a comic book series is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a blank slate. An opportunity to see something fresh and new. On the other hand, though, it’s an investment that may not pay off. Despite previews, reviews, and buzz surrounding a book, the proof is in the pudding, and you have to buy the book to know for sure. Marvel and DC are notorious for dropping issue #1’s that are FINO’s; First’s In Name Only. There’s a title change, or a change to a creative team lineup, but nothing really new and refreshing. So it is with the Big 2 publishers and their constricting universes. Persistent universes come with rules. Image Comics, however, is not beholden to these rules.

Every month of 2014 Image Comics offered readers something completely new and different. And these weren’t just your run-of-the-mill issue #1’s, these are books by big names in the industry, books with staying power, and some great comic books. Continue reading Image Comics 2014: The Year in New Titles; Part 1 →