Graphic novel by Jamie S. Rich and Megan Levens re-imagines classic story

Frankenstein meets Pygmalion in MADAME FRANKENSTEIN by Jamie S. Rich (12 Reasons Why I Love Her, You Have Killed Me) and Megan Levens, a graphic novel set in the dying days of the Jazz Age, coming in February from Image Comics. In 1932, Vincent Krall, an impoverished medical student, sets out to create his perfect woman by reanimating the corpse of the woman he loved but could not possess. But in this dark tale of obsession, Vincent finds that a man cannot master life and death, and a woman is not so easily controlled. MADAME FRANKENSTEIN began as a drawing in artist Levens’ sketchbook. After she met Rich, the two began trading ideas, and the idea became a fully-fleshed story. Rich is known for his romantic graphic novels, but MADAME FRANKENSTEIN is far from a love story, as the creators explained in an interview with Newsarama.

“Though we certainly are hoping readers will root for Gail to get her freedom, the story is more of a tragedy,” Rich said. “There are no heroes in a traditional sense. Rather, it's a tale of several people whose lives are hopelessly entangled, and the bad things this relationship causes.”

“Vincent believes he has a chance to create a woman who is completely within his control, reprogrammed and taught to think and behave how he thinks she should,” added Levens, whose evocative art captures the emotional subtleties of her and Rich’s characters and the story’s mounting dread in striking black-and-white. “As an artist I was very conscious and deliberate about showing, through the characters' expressions and body language when they interact, that their relationship is based on her fear and his desire for control.”

A graphic novel combining the horror of classic gothic fiction with the glittering tragedy of The Great Gatsby, MADAME FRANKENSTEIN will be in comic book stores on February 25 and in bookstores on March 10. It is available now for pre-order.

Praise for MADAME FRANKENSTEIN

“The heart of this tale is the complex relationship between the creator and his creation…. Looming, expressionistic shadows ramp up the horror; and all the while, Levens’ bold lines and feel for scene-setting flourishes evoke the romance comics of the ’40s, all without feeling too derivative.... This is a re-interpretation of an old story that lives and breathes.” –Michelle White, Multiversity Comics

“Madame Frankenstein sees Rich twist the old tale into something even creepier, set against Levens’ cinematic, wide, black and white panels. For horror and sci-fi fans,Madame Frankenstein is a must read.” –Tim Midura, The Outhousers

“Madame Frankenstein is a fitting tribute to old-school Universal monster movies and Mary Shelley's classic novel. It's a comic that shows how human beings can be the real monsters, even in a world where the dead can return to life.” –James Ferguson,Horror Talk

“The craft is outstanding, with Jamie S. Rich’s dialogue revealing so much in just a few sentences, and Megan Levens’ art delineating the cast wonderfully.” –Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading

MADAME FRANKENSTEIN “breathes new life into the tale of Frankenstein’s monster.” –Sara Westrop, Geek Syndicate

October graphic novel sheds light on a small town’s darkness

Why this has piqued our interest; Nailbiter has been a great series to date, the story of the most infamous small town on the planet has been up there with the best of Image comics this year. We reviewed the first three issues and you can read them here 1, 2, 3. However if you are yet to delve into Buckaroo this trade may be the perfect place to start.

From the outside, Buckaroo, Oregon seems like a typical small town, but there’s something that makes it extraordinary. The setting of NAILBITER by Joshua Williamson (GHOSTED) and Mike Henderson (MASKS AND MOBSTERS), a new graphic novel coming in October from Image Comics is the hometown of sixteen of the world’s most heinous serial killers. Random chance? FBI profiler Eliot Carroll didn’t think so, and his investigations led him deep into Buckaroo’s secrets… where he disappeared without a trace. Now, Carroll’s best friend, army intelligence officer Nicholas Finch, has come to Buckaroo in search of him. The most obvious suspect is Edward “The Nailbiter” Warren — a psychopath acquitted of forty-five counts of first degree murder. Warren may be the key to finding Carroll — as well as the latest killer who has begun to menace Buckaroo.

“I’ve always wondered ‘why, and how?’ What happens in a person’s life that turns them into that kind of monster?” said writer Williamson of his interest in serial killers in an interview at Multiversity Comics. “Is it an event or are they born that way? It’s part of what we explore in the overall Nailbiter story.”

“[Nailbiter] really wended its way in directions we hadn’t predicted once sketches and designs started being kicked back and forth,” said artist Henderson of the creative process. “We both saw a twisting mystery though, rooted under the town of Buckaroo and affecting everyone in it in different (often horrible) ways.”

A mystery with the psychological horror of Hannibal and the surreal small-town claustrophobia of Twin Peaks, NAILBITER VOLUME 1: THERE WILL BE BLOOD will be in comic book stores on October 1 and in bookstores on October 14. It is specially priced at only $9.99 and available for pre-order now.

New sci-fi mystery series from Johnston, Greenwood, and Image Comics

Why this piqued our interest The Fuse is a cop story with a difference, the setting mixed with the central figures makes this an intriguing story and well worth reading.  Midway orbits 22,000 miles above the surface of Earth, a five-mile-long steel city that is home to half a million people. And within the hollow metal walls are “cablers” — Midway’s discarded and derelict. Two of them turn up murdered in front of Midway’s city hall, and Detective Ralph Dietrich arrives just in time to take the confounding case — and to meet his partner, veteran detective Klementina Ristovych. THE FUSE VOLUME 1: THE RUSSIA SHIFT, the new graphic novel from Image Comics by Antony Johnston (UMBRAL, Daredevil, Wasteland) and Justin Greenwood (Wasteland, Stumptown), takes readers into the depths of Midway as Detectives Dietrich and Ristovych follow the threads of the crime through the city’s political entanglements and bloody history.

"Sci-fi, detective stories, and murder mysteries are three of my favorite things, and THE FUSE mashes them all up into something unique,” said writer Johnston. “We've been blown away by the response from our readers — especially women, who love Klem and her kick-ass attitude — and we hope this collection will encourage even more people to visit the claustrophobic, corrupt, and violent world of Midway City. Straight up."

Artist Greenwood described what went into designing the city of Midway and creating the mood within it: "Imagine a small urban city with all its different cultures and personalities, and compact it into a five-mile-by-five-mile structure floating in space. It's pressurized and volatile and gritty, and much like the folks who come to live aboard the Fuse, every issue feels like a fresh start where I'm drawing a dozen new and different things every time. It's never what you expect."

Johnston has high praise for his creative partner, whose art is at the center of THE FUSE’s visual impact. “Justin makes the book sing, from the unique character designs, to his energetic style, and kinetic storytelling. I can't wait for people to experience it."

With simmering tension and a truly original setting, THE FUSE is a graphic novel for lovers of crime dramas and science fiction alike. When you’re 22,000 miles up, there is no backup. THE FUSE VOLUME 1: THE RUSSIA SHIFT is specially priced at $9.99 and will be in comic book stores on August 27 and in bookstores on September 9. It is available for pre-order now.

Praise for THE FUSE:

“THE FUSE blends sci-fi and crime — two very hot genres amongst the Image set right now — in a crisp, fast-paced read with surprises at every turn. It's not quite hardboiled, but it doesn't need to be; the characters of THE FUSE make the world an interesting place, even without an extra dose of grit. Natural-sounding dialogue and a kicked-up crime story keep things engaging, and keep us guessing who's behind the murders.” –Jen Aprahamian, Comic Vine

"Space cops investigating space murders is the sort of synopsis that gets my attention, and so far Johnston and Greenwood appear to have the world-building skills and noir chops to back it up." –Laura Hudson, Wired

"THE FUSE hits fast and hard, with unapologetic wit and a no-nonsense attitude... This fantastically crafted comic has the guts of an old pulp rag with the experience of the 21st century comic culture."  –Lonnie Nadler, Bloody Disgusting

"Antony Johnston has kind of popped to the top of my list of favorite creators... I'm definitely in this one for the long haul." –Sam, Fantastic Fangirls

"THE FUSE is an unusual, engaging and rewarding read, containing everything needed to get you hooked in a comic. A new idea hung skilfully on a classic set up"  –Samuel Read, Geek Chocolate

Preview Images

Humble Bundle has teamed up with mega-publisher Image Comics to launch the Humble Image Comics Bundle today, offering up digital editions of nine New York Times bestselling, Eisner award-winning comic books starting at as little as one cent. Customers can pay what they want and choose where their money goes. The promotion runs for two weeks onhttps://www.humblebundle.com.
 
Customers can name their price for Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta's EAST OF WEST, VOL. 1, Greg Rucka and Michael Lark's LAZARUS, VOL. 1, Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma's MORNING GLORIES, VOL. 1, and Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' FATALE, VOL. 1. Those who pay more than the average price will also receive Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples' SAGA, VOL. 1, Tim Seeley and Mike Norton's REVIVAL, VOL. 1, and John Layman and Rob Guillory's CHEW, VOL. 1. Paying $15 or more will unlock Robert Kirkman's THE WALKING DEAD, VOL. 1 and VOL. 20, completing the bundle of nine comic books.
 
EAST OF WEST is a New York Times bestseller and was nominated in the "Best Continuing Series" category for the 2014 Eisner Awards. LAZARUS was nominated in the "Best New Series" category in the 2014 Eisner Awards. SAGA is a New York Times bestseller, and has multiple Eisner Awards, a Hugo Award, and nominations in the 2014 Hugo awards and in multiple categories for the 2014 Eisner Awards. CHEW is a New York Times bestseller and Eisner Award winner. THE WALKING DEAD is a New York Times bestseller, multiple Eisner Award winner, and the series for which the hit AMC television show of the same name is based upon. 
 
Customers can choose how their payment is allocated: between the comic book creators and/or the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community. Since Humble Bundle's launch in 2010, $37 million has been raised for more than 20 different charities and non-profit organizations.
 
The Humble Image Comics Bundle ends on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. PDT.

New Joe’s Comic trade paperback features fun and fright

Allison Carter is the latest in her family’s long line of paranormal investigators specializing in preventing the end of the world. Her grandfather and umpteenth-great-grandfathers probably never anticipated her father having only a daughter, but Al employs the same Carter wit, smarts, and deadly accuracy as her male predecessors—and then some. With an attitude of "shoot first and to Hell with the questions," she leads a life that would drive other investigators mad, filled with monsters, demons, trolls, mad prophets, zombie detectives, techno-wizards, machinegun toting imps, and undead boyfriends.

In THE ADVENTURES OF APOCALYPSE AL by J.M. Straczynski and Sid Kotian, Al gains an unexpected ally in her latest case as she tries to keep a deranged artifact collector from opening a door into Hell itself.

APOCALYPSE AL is the third title in the Joe’s Comics line to be collected into a trade paperback, after TEN GRAND and SIDEKICK. While the prior two titles featured the dark side of Straczynski’s well-established storytelling skills, APOCALYPSE AL offers a fun and irreverent take on the supernatural, matched with Kotian’s lively art and Bill Farmer’s vibrant colors.

THE ADVENTURES OF APOCALYPSE AL collects all four issues of the miniseries. It will be in comic book stores on May 28 and bookstores on June 10.

New Image Comics comedy adventure gets collected in March

You’ve never seen high fantasy heroines like the Rat Queens before. Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric, and Betty the Hippy Smidgen are foul-mouthed, gleefully blood-spattered, prone to fits of indiscriminate property damage, and often intoxicated. They’re the stars of the hit Image Comics/Shadowline comic book series RAT QUEENS, and they’re best f*cking mercenary team in all of Palisade. So why does someone want them dead? Wait, don’t answer that.
 
Better than any bard’s song of triumph in battle, RAT QUEENS VOLUME ONE: SASS AND SORCERY by Kurtis J. Wiebe (PETER PANZERFAUST) and Roc Upchurch (VESCELL) will be hitting (and we do mean hitting) store shelves in March. The Queens embark on a quest of rare importance, promising fame and fortune should they succeed in this most dangerous of — OK, so they have to clear some goblins out of a cave. But things take a surprising turn, and the Queens are going to have to use their wits and weapons to uncover a plot on their lives.
 
RAT QUEENS rocketed to cult status when its first issue appeared in September 2013 and went on to win IGN's coveted Best New Series of the year. This paperback volume of the series collects the first five issues, with a cover by Fiona Staples (SAGA). RAT QUEENS VOLUME ONE is available for pre-order now and a five-page preview is on Image Comics’ website. Readers who like their swords bloody and their sorcery sarcastic won’t want to miss out on this hot new title.
 

Praise for RAT QUEENS:
 
“Look, I don't care if you have a job or not. Sell your things, sell your plasma, do whatever you have to do to buy Rat Queens. Give your money to this comic and give it hard…. It's funny, heartwarming and filled with bloody action. Seriously, this is one of the best comic books being published right now. You're a fool to not buy it. Stop being a fool. Your parents raised you better.”
—Benjamin Bailey, IGN
 
“Told with plenty of gentle nudges toward classic fantasy games and even more swearing, guts, and booze, this is a purely fun and very adult take on the genre.”
—Arielle Yarwood, Bitch Magazine
 
“I have a new favorite fantasy comic, and it's Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch's Rat Queens. Don't let the strange name fool you; it's a book full of violence, mayhem, friendship, secrets, and monsters. Oh, and one of the more charmingly dysfunctional groups of warriors you've seen in a while.”
—Greg McElhatton, Comic Book Resources
 
“The characters created by Wiebe and Upchurch bring the series to life. With all the glamour and stage presence of an all girl rock group, the Rat Queens fill up every iota of the spotlight. Each woman is strong in her own right, and has a unique and well articulated personality.”
—Sam LeBas, Multiversity Comics
 
“Rat Queens is destined for comic book greatness, and knows how to sink its bloodthirsty hooks into the growing fandom without succumbing to the over-exhausted and widely problematic tropes prevalent in most Fantasy fiction and art today. This cannot be stressed enough: Rat Queens is fantastic, and you should be reading it.”
—ShadowJayd, Bloody Disgusting
 
“Rat Queens is that rare comic that: 1) features a mostly female leading cast and 2) manages to let those leading women be feisty and foul mouthed without simply being ‘dudes with boobs’ or flattened out into one-dimensional ‘bitch stereotypes.’”
 —Lela Gwenn, Women Write About Comics

Critically-acclaimed story of kids taking survival into their own hands
available in trade paperback