| 1 | [[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image-comics-logo_4682.jpg]] |
| 2 | Image Comics is a comic book company founded in 1992 by seven famous artists from Creator/MarvelComics after a dispute over creator's rights. Their goal was to publish "creator-owned" comic books not controlled by a central editor, and it consisted of six studios (one person decided not to be a full partner due to familial problems at the time) that would be completely autonomous from each other. |
| 3 | |
| 4 | The original titles were: |
| 5 | * [[{{Creator/ToddMcfarlane}} Todd [=McFarlane=]]]'s ''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'' (produced through Todd [=McFarlane=] Productions) |
| 6 | * Erik Larsen's ''ComicBook/SavageDragon'' (produced through Highbrow Entertainment) |
| 7 | * Jim Lee's ''ComicBook/WildCATsWildStorm'' (produced through Creator/{{WildStorm}} Productions) |
| 8 | * Creator/RobLiefeld's ''ComicBook/YoungbloodImageComics'' and ''ComicBook/{{Brigade}}'' (produced through Extreme Studios, note that Youngblood was the first book published under the Image banner, though the first issue was completed pre-Image) |
| 9 | * Marc Silvestri's ''ComicBook/{{Cyberforce}}'' (produced through Creator/TopCowProductions) |
| 10 | * Jim Valentino's ''ComicBook/{{Shadowhawk}}'' (produced through Shadowline, Ink) |
| 11 | * Whilce Portacio's ''ComicBook/{{Wetworks}}'' (which actually got delayed until 1994, though a preview appeared as a backup in issue two of ''ComicBook/WildCATsWildStorm'') |
| 12 | * Sam Kieth's ''ComicBook/TheMaxx'' (produced through the main Image imprint since Kieth was not a company owner) |
| 13 | |
| 14 | Image Comics eventually became famous for publishing NinetiesAntiHero books, very far towards the cynical end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism, and for a bad case of non-webcomic ScheduleSlip, sometimes delivering issues as much as nine months late and still constantly happening today (though in several cases, this is done intentionally and called the "''Saga'' model", where a series will release all the issues of an arc on time, but then take a two or three month hiatus before releasing the next arc). The absence of ExecutiveMeddling they prided themselves on also turned out to have [[ProtectionFromEditors certain drawbacks]], and none of the partners had any business experience. Still, while the NinetiesAntiHero fad lasted, the Image titles were a massive success, but now they mostly look like [[MediaNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks Dark Age]] disasters with an excess of sex and violence and somewhat... questionable art. |
| 15 | |
| 16 | At first success was so intense that series were added, either ex-novo (like Sam Keith's ''ComicBook/TheMaxx'', Dale Keown's ''ComicBook/{{Pitt}}'', Creator/KeithGiffen's ''Trencher'', and Nick Manabat's ''Cybernary'') or being "filiated" from the original ones like ''Freak Force'', ''Vanguard'', and ''the Deadly Duo'' (from ''Savage Dragon''), ''ComicBook/{{Gen13}}'', ''ComicBook/{{Stormwatch}}'', ''Deathblow'' and ''ComicBook/Team7'' (from Jim Lee's ''[=WildC.A.T.s=]'' universe), and ''Glory,'' ''Prophet,'' and ''ComicBook/{{Supreme}}'' (from ''Youngblood''), but soon after things began to fall apart. |
| 17 | |
| 18 | Image Comics eventually lost two founders: Rob Liefeld was fired[[note]]Though he [[InsistentTerminology insists]] that he quit. The middle ground is the speculation that he quit ''just before'' he could get fired.[[/note]], and Jim Lee sold his Creator/{{Wildstorm}} Studios to Creator/DCComics after leaving Image.[[note]]There was even a CrisisCrossover, ''Shattered Image'', devoted to writing Wildstorm's titles out of the Image universe, and vice versa.[[/note]] Over the years, Image started GrowingTheBeard: they got a central editor to help control the schedule, and the quality of the art and maturity of the storylines started looking up somewhat. They also hired some other writers and with this they got some more diversity, with titles like Creator/JeffSmith's ''ComicBook/{{Bone}}'', Creator/KurtBusiek's ''ComicBook/AstroCity'' and Creator/RobertKirkman's ''ComicBook/{{Invincible}}'' and ''ComicBook/TheWalkingDead''. Whereas the original titles had at least paid lip service to being in some kind of Image SharedUniverse, these more recent titles have tended to exist as entirely independent works. Kirkman has recently been bumped up to the equivalent of founder status, forming his own studio, Skybound Entertainment. ''Spawn'' and ''Savage Dragon'' are also still published, and are better-regarded than in their heyday, whilst Image is giving a chance to many writers whose ideas would never be published by the "Big Two". Rob Liefeld even managed to make up with his ex-partners at Image, thanks to Kirkman's intervention, and managed to successfully relaunch a few of his old Extreme Studios properties, though he is still no longer a partner in the publisher. Their main competitor nowadays is Creator/DarkHorseComics rather than Marvel and DC, as both companies tend to release similar off-the-cuff, independent works, though Image actually does remarkably well in the trade paperback market, regularly beating out the Big Two. The company has managed to distance itself from its "grim and gritty" roots, and is generally highly regarded by comic readers, particularly those seeking non-superhero, non-licensed work. |
| 19 | |
| 20 | In 2013 a documentary about the foundation of Image called "The Image Revolution" was made, though it did not get an official release until 2016. |
| 21 | ---- |
| 22 | !!Comics published by Image Comics: |
| 23 | [[index]] |
| 24 | * ''ComicBook/NineteenSixtyThree'' |
| 25 | * ''ComicBook/{{Adventureman}}'' |
| 26 | * ''ComicBook/TheAdventuresOfBarryWeenBoyGenius'' |
| 27 | * ''ComicBook/AgeOfBronze'' |
| 28 | * ''ComicBook/TheAmbassadors'' |
| 29 | * ''ComicBook/AmericasGotPowers'' |
| 30 | * ''ComicBook/AlexPlusAda'' |
| 31 | * ''ComicBook/{{Ant}}'' |
| 32 | * ''ComicBook/TheAstoundingWolfMan'' |
| 33 | * ''ComicBook/AstroCity'' |
| 34 | * ''ComicBook/TheAutumnlandsToothAndClaw'' |
| 35 | * ''ComicBook/BackToBrooklyn'' |
| 36 | * ''ComicBook/BadPlanet'' |
| 37 | * ''ComicBook/TheBadger'' |
| 38 | * ''ComicBook/BattleChasers'' |
| 39 | * ''ComicBook/BattlePope'' |
| 40 | * ''ComicBook/TheBeauty'' |
| 41 | * ''ComicBook/{{Bedlam}}'' |
| 42 | * ''ComicBook/BigBangComics'' |
| 43 | * ''ComicBook/BigGame2023'' |
| 44 | * ''ComicBook/BingoLove'' |
| 45 | * ''ComicBook/{{Birthright}}'' |
| 46 | * ''ComicBook/BitchPlanet'' |
| 47 | * ''ComicBook/Blackbird2018'' |
| 48 | * ''ComicBook/BlackAndWhiteImageComics'' |
| 49 | * ''ComicBook/BlackCherry'' |
| 50 | * ''ComicBook/BlackMagick'' |
| 51 | * ''ComicBook/BlackScience'' |
| 52 | * ''ComicBook/BloodRedDragon'' |
| 53 | * ''Webcomic/BloodStain'' (print edition of webcomic) |
| 54 | * ''ComicBook/{{Bloodstrike}}'' |
| 55 | * ''ComicBook/BlueMonday'' |
| 56 | * ''ComicBook/BombQueen'' |
| 57 | * ''ComicBook/{{Bone}}'' |
| 58 | * ''The Bone Orchard Mythos:'' |
| 59 | ** ''ComicBook/ThePassageway'' |
| 60 | ** ''ComicBook/TenThousandBlackFeathers'' |
| 61 | * ''ComicBook/{{Brit}}'' |
| 62 | * ''ComicBook/BullyWars'' |
| 63 | * ''ComicBook/CarbonGrey'' |
| 64 | * ''ComicBook/{{Casanova}}'' |
| 65 | * ''ComicBook/{{Chassis}}'' |
| 66 | * ''ComicBook/{{Chew}}'' |
| 67 | * ''ComicBook/{{Chrononauts}}'' |
| 68 | * ''ComicBook/TheCloset2022'' |
| 69 | * ''ComicBook/{{Comeback}}'' |
| 70 | * ''ComicBook/{{Copperhead}}'' |
| 71 | * ''ComicBook/TheCouriers'' (the 2012 combined volume, individual volumes previously published by [=AiT/Planet Lar=]) |
| 72 | * ''ComicBook/CreatureTech'' |
| 73 | * ''ComicBook/Criminal2006'' |
| 74 | * ''ComicBook/{{Crimson}}'' |
| 75 | * ''ComicBook/Crossover2020'' |
| 76 | * ''ComicBook/DeadAt17'' |
| 77 | * ''ComicBook/DeathVigil'' |
| 78 | * ''ComicBook/DeadlyClass'' |
| 79 | * ''ComicBook/TheDepartmentOfTruth'' |
| 80 | * ''ComicBook/{{Descender}}'' |
| 81 | * ''ComicBook/DestroyerDuck'' |
| 82 | * ''ComicBook/{{Deathmate}}'' (crossover with Valiant) |
| 83 | * ''ComicBook/{{DIE}}'' |
| 84 | * ''ComicBook/DraculaMotherfucker'' |
| 85 | * ''ComicBook/{{Drain}}'' |
| 86 | * ''ComicBook/Dynamo5'' |
| 87 | * ''ComicBook/EastOfWest'' |
| 88 | * ''Comicbook/EightBillionGenies'' |
| 89 | * ''ComicBook/{{Elephantmen}}'' |
| 90 | * ''ComicBook/Elsewhere2017'' |
| 91 | * ''ComicBook/TheFadeOut'' |
| 92 | * ''ComicBook/FallOutToyWorks'' |
| 93 | * ''ComicBook/{{Farmhand}}'' |
| 94 | * ''ComicBook/{{Fatale|2012}}'' |
| 95 | * ''ComicBook/FearAgent'' (First publisher. Later sections published by Creator/DarkHorseComics.) |
| 96 | * ''ComicBook/{{Fell}}'' |
| 97 | * ''ComicBook/{{Feral|2024}}'' |
| 98 | * ''ComicBook/TheField'' |
| 99 | * ''ComicBook/FinePrint'' |
| 100 | * ''ComicBook/FirePower'' |
| 101 | * ''ComicBook/{{Firebreather}}'' |
| 102 | * ''ComicBook/FirstKnife'' |
| 103 | * ''ComicBook/TheFiveFistsOfScience'' |
| 104 | * ''ComicBook/FiveWeapons'' |
| 105 | * ''ComicBook/TheFix'' |
| 106 | * ''ComicBook/FlamingCarrot'' |
| 107 | * ''ComicBook/Flight2004'' |
| 108 | * ''ComicBook/TheForged'' |
| 109 | * ''ComicBook/TheFuse'' |
| 110 | * ''ComicBook/{{Gear}}'' |
| 111 | * ''ComicBook/Gen13'' |
| 112 | * ''ComicBook/GideonFalls'' |
| 113 | * ''ComicBook/{{Girls}}'' |
| 114 | * ''ComicBook/GladstonesSchoolForWorldConquerors'' |
| 115 | * ''ComicBook/{{Glory}}'' |
| 116 | * ''ComicBook/GMan'' |
| 117 | * ''ComicBook/GodHatesAstronauts'' |
| 118 | * ''ComicBook/TheGoddamned'' |
| 119 | * ''ComicBook/GoldenRage'' |
| 120 | * ''ComicBook/TheGoodAsian'' |
| 121 | * ''ComicBook/GreenValley'' |
| 122 | * ''ComicBook/GrooTheWanderer'' |
| 123 | * ''ComicBook/HackSlash'' (Volume 2, previously published by Devil's Due) |
| 124 | * ''ComicBook/{{Haha}}'' |
| 125 | * ''ComicBook/{{Halcyon}}'' |
| 126 | * ''ComicBook/{{Happy}}'' |
| 127 | * ''ComicBook/{{Haunt}}'' |
| 128 | * ''ComicBook/{{Home}}'' |
| 129 | * ''ComicBook/HomeSickPilots'' |
| 130 | * ''ComicBook/{{Horizon}}'' |
| 131 | * ''ComicBook/{{Huck}}'' |
| 132 | * ''ComicBook/IceCreamMan'' |
| 133 | * ''ComicBook/IHateFairyland'' |
| 134 | * ''ComicBook/IKillGiants'' |
| 135 | * ''ComicBook/{{Infidel}}'' |
| 136 | * ''ComicBook/TheInfinite'' |
| 137 | * ''ComicBook/{{Injection}}'' |
| 138 | * ''ComicBook/{{Invincible}}'' |
| 139 | * ''ComicBook/JackStaff'' |
| 140 | * ''ComicBook/JupitersLegacy'' |
| 141 | * ''ComicBook/{{Kabuki}}'' |
| 142 | * ''ComicBook/KillOrBeKilled'' |
| 143 | * ''Webcomic/KillSixBillionDemons'' (Print edition of web comic.) |
| 144 | * ''ComicBook/KingCity'' |
| 145 | * ''ComicBook/KissPsychoCircus'' |
| 146 | * ''ComicBook/{{Lazarus}}'' |
| 147 | * ''ComicStrip/LibertyMeadows'' |
| 148 | * ''ComicBook/LocalMan'' |
| 149 | * ''ComicBook/LoveEverlasting'' |
| 150 | * ''ComicBook/TheLostOnes'' |
| 151 | * ''ComicBook/{{Low}}'' |
| 152 | * ''ComicBook/TheLudocrats'' |
| 153 | * ''ComicBook/MadameFrankenstein'' |
| 154 | * ''ComicBook/{{Madman}}'' |
| 155 | * ''ComicBook/MageTheHeroDiscovered'' |
| 156 | * ''ComicBook/TheMagicOrder'' |
| 157 | * ''ComicBook/TheManhattanProjects'' |
| 158 | * ''ComicBook/MassiveVerse'' |
| 159 | ** ''ComicBook/RadiantBlack'' |
| 160 | *** ''ComicBook/RadiantRed'' |
| 161 | *** ''ComicBook/RadiantPink'' |
| 162 | ** ''ComicBook/{{Supermassive}}'' |
| 163 | ** ''ComicBook/RogueSun'' |
| 164 | ** ''ComicBook/TheDeadLucky'' |
| 165 | ** ''ComicBook/InfernoGirlRed'' |
| 166 | ** ''ComicBook/NoOne'' |
| 167 | ** ''ComicBook/Supermassive2023'' |
| 168 | * ''ComicBook/TheMaxx'' |
| 169 | * ''ComicBook/MegatonMan'' |
| 170 | * ''ComicBook/TheMiceTemplar'' |
| 171 | * ''ComicBook/{{Middlewest}}'' |
| 172 | * ''ComicBook/{{Monstress}}'' |
| 173 | * ''ComicBook/{{Moriarty}}'' |
| 174 | * ''ComicBook/MorningGlories'' |
| 175 | * ''ComicBook/MotorCrush'' |
| 176 | * ''ComicBook/{{MPH}}'' |
| 177 | * ''ComicBook/{{Nailbiter}}'' |
| 178 | * ''ComicBook/Nameless2015'' |
| 179 | * ''ComicBook/Nights2023'' |
| 180 | * ''ComicBook/NobleCauses'' |
| 181 | * ''ComicBook/{{Nocterra}}'' |
| 182 | * ''ComicBook/NowhereMen'' |
| 183 | * ''ComicBook/OdyC'' |
| 184 | * ''ComicBook/TheOldGuard'' |
| 185 | * ''ComicBook/OrcStain'' |
| 186 | * ''ComicBook/{{Outcast}}'' |
| 187 | * ''ComicBook/OuterDarkness'' |
| 188 | * ''ComicBook/TheOthers1995'' |
| 189 | * ''ComicBook/PaperGirls'' |
| 190 | * ''ComicBook/PaxRomana'' |
| 191 | * ''ComicBook/ThePerhapanauts'' |
| 192 | * ''ComicBook/{{Phonogram}}'' |
| 193 | * ''ComicBook/{{Plush}}'' |
| 194 | * ''ComicBook/{{Plutona}}'' |
| 195 | * ''ComicBook/{{Powers}}'' |
| 196 | * ''ComicBook/ThePortent'' |
| 197 | * ''ComicBook/PrettyDeadly'' |
| 198 | * ''ComicBook/{{Primordial}}'' |
| 199 | * ''ComicBook/ThePro'' |
| 200 | * ''ComicBook/{{Proof|2007}}'' |
| 201 | * ''ComicBook/{{Prophet}}'' |
| 202 | * ''ComicBook/Pulp2020'' |
| 203 | * ''ComicBook/RatQueens'' |
| 204 | * ''ComicBook/{{Reborn}}'' |
| 205 | * ''ComicBook/Reckless2020'' |
| 206 | * ''ComicBook/{{Revival}}'' |
| 207 | * ''ComicBook/{{Reyn}}'' |
| 208 | * ''ComicBook/RocketGirl'' |
| 209 | * ''ComicBook/RoguesGallery'' |
| 210 | * ''ComicBook/TheSacrificers'' |
| 211 | * ''ComicBook/{{Saga}}'' |
| 212 | * ''ComicBook/TheSagaOfRex'' |
| 213 | * ''ComicBook/SavageDragon'' |
| 214 | * ''ComicBook/{{Screamland}}'' |
| 215 | * ''ComicBook/ScudTheDisposableAssassin'' |
| 216 | * ''ComicBook/SecretIdentities'' |
| 217 | * ''Comicbook/{{Severed}}'' |
| 218 | * ''ComicBook/{{Sexcastle}}'' |
| 219 | * ''ComicBook/SexCriminals'' |
| 220 | * ''ComicBook/SFSXSafeSex'' |
| 221 | * ''ComicBook/{{Shadowhawk}}'' |
| 222 | * ''ComicBook/ShamansTears'' |
| 223 | * ''ComicBook/ShirtlessBearFighter'' |
| 224 | * ''ComicBook/{{Shutter}}'' |
| 225 | * ''ComicBook/TheSilverCoin'' |
| 226 | * ''ComicBook/SimonSaysNaziHunter'' |
| 227 | * ''Webcomic/{{Skullkickers}}'' |
| 228 | * ''ComicBook/{{Sleepless}}'' |
| 229 | * ''ComicBook/{{Snotgirl}}'' |
| 230 | * ''ComicBook/SouthernBastards'' |
| 231 | * ''ComicBook/SouthernCross'' |
| 232 | * ''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'' |
| 233 | * ''ComicBook/{{Starlight}}'' |
| 234 | * ''ComicBook/StillwaterImageComics'' |
| 235 | * ''ComicBook/{{Stormwatch}}'' |
| 236 | * ''ComicBook/TheStrangeTalentOfLutherStrode'' |
| 237 | * ''ComicBook/StrayBullets'' |
| 238 | * ''ComicBook/StrayDogs'' |
| 239 | * ''ComicBook/SuperDinosaur'' |
| 240 | * ''ComicBook/SuburbanGlamour'' |
| 241 | * ''Webcomic/{{Sunstone}}'' (print edition of webcomic) |
| 242 | * ''ComicBook/{{Supreme}}'' |
| 243 | * ''ComicBook/Switch2015'' |
| 244 | * ''ComicBook/TheSword'' |
| 245 | * ''ComicBook/TalesFromTheBullyPulpit'' |
| 246 | * ''ComicBook/Team7'' |
| 247 | * ''ComicBook/TechJacket'' |
| 248 | * ''ComicBook/{{Tellos}}'' |
| 249 | * ''ComicBook/{{The Humans|ImageComics}}'' |
| 250 | * ''ComicBook/{{Three}}'' |
| 251 | * ''ComicBook/TheThrillingAdventureHour'' (adapted from an audio play) |
| 252 | * ''ComicBook/TrakkMonsterHunter'' |
| 253 | * ''ComicBook/{{Trees}}'' |
| 254 | * ''ComicBook/TruthJustinAndTheAmericanWay'' |
| 255 | * ''ComicBook/TwilightGuardian'' |
| 256 | * ''ComicBook/{{Ultramega}}'' |
| 257 | * ''ComicBook/{{Umbra}}'' |
| 258 | * ''ComicBook/TheUnnamed'' |
| 259 | * ''ComicBook/{{Unnatural}}'' |
| 260 | * ''{{ComicBook/Voyagis}}'' |
| 261 | * ''ComicBook/TheWalkingDead'' |
| 262 | * ''ComicBook/{{Wayward}}'' |
| 263 | * ''ComicBook/WhateverHappenedToBaronVonShock'' |
| 264 | * ''ComicBook/WeStandOnGuard'' |
| 265 | * ''ComicBook/WhereIsJakeEllis'' |
| 266 | * ''ComicBook/TheWhiteTrees: A Blacksand Tale'' |
| 267 | * ''ComicBook/TheWickedAndTheDivine'' |
| 268 | * ''ComicBook/WildCATSWildStorm'' |
| 269 | * ''ComicBook/{{Wildguard}}'' |
| 270 | * ''ComicBook/{{WildStar}}'' |
| 271 | * ''ComicBook/WitchDoctor'' |
| 272 | * ''ComicBook/WynonnaEarp'' |
| 273 | * ''ComicBook/YoungbloodImageComics'' |
| 274 | ** ''ComicBook/YoungbloodJudgmentDay'' |
| 275 | ** ''ComicBook/Youngblood2017'' |
| 276 | * ''ComicBook/{{Zero}}'' |
| 277 | !! Licensed Comics |
| 278 | * ''ComicBook/GIJoeDevilsDue'' (first 25 issues only, the rest of the series was published by Devil's Due independently.) |
| 279 | ** ''ComicBook/GIJoeVsTheTransformers'' (first miniseries only, the remaining three were published by Devil's Due independently.) |
| 280 | * ''ComicBook/MicronautsImage'' (main series and ''Micronauts: Karza'' miniseries through Devil's Due Publishing, which also released a short-lived continuation independently of Image) |
| 281 | * ''ComicBook/{{Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|Mirage}}'' (Vol. 3) |
| 282 | * ComicBook/EnergonUniverse (Skybound Entertainment's ''{{Franchise/Transformers}}'' and ''Franchise/GIJoe'' SharedUniverse) |
| 283 | ** ''ComicBook/VoidRivals'' |
| 284 | ** ''ComicBook/Transformers2023'' |
| 285 | ** ''ComicBook/{{Duke}}'' |
| 286 | ** ''ComicBook/CobraCommander'' |
| 287 | ** ''Scarlett'' |
| 288 | ** '''Destro'' |
| 289 | * ''ComicBook/GIJoeARealAmericanHeroIDW'' (previously published by IDW Publishing) |
| 290 | * Universal Horror - A collaboration with Creator/UniversalStudios producing adaptations of the classic Universal Monsters. |
| 291 | ** ''ComicBook/UniversalMonstersDracula'' |
| 292 | ** ''Universal Monsters: The Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives'' |
| 293 | ** ''Universal Monsters: Frankenstein'' |
| 294 | [[/index]] |
| 295 | ---- |
| 296 | |
| 297 | !!Tropes applying to Image Comics and its works include: |
| 298 | |
| 299 | * TheArtifact: {{Superhero}} LongRunners from the Dark Age like ''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'', ''ComicBook/YoungbloodImageComics'' and ''ComicBook/SavageDragon'' look rather out of place today in their diverse current lineup consisting primarily of both lighter and more serious non-superhero material. |
| 300 | * MediaNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks: Early 90s Image comics were the ''ne plus ultra'' of Dark Age comics. ''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'' in particular had (appropriately enough) spawned [[FollowTheLeader many imitators]]. |
| 301 | * DarkerAndEdgier: The '90s were especially notable in that they embodied MediaNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks - "dark, edgy" and often completely immature! Nowadays they publish books in a wide variety of tones, from properly mature storytelling like ''Comicbook/{{Saga}}'' or ''Comicbook/Criminal2006'', to superhero stories BloodierAndGorier than the Big Two would allow on their mainstream lines (including popular revivals of those early series), to books for kids and young adults. |
| 302 | * DoubleSidedBook: It wasn't uncommon in the early days of the publishing company to see promos for upcoming series included on the flip side of existing series. company, |
| 303 | * EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: For the company as a whole, their early existence attempted to be a SharedUniverse on par with the Big Two and was dominated by [[NinetiesAntiHero Nineties Anti-Heroic Superheroes]]. Today, while they still publish superhero comics, the company has very much diversified their lineup, and creator-owned series are completely independent of each other. |
| 304 | * GenreRoulette: Since broadening their horizons and diversifying their lineup from their original superhero roots, you can find comics of virtually ''all'' genres including (but certainly not limited to) sci-fi, crime, horror, adventure, romance, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, western, [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and]] superhero. |
| 305 | * LighterAndSofter: In comparison to the monotone, overly teenage "dark'n'gritty" material they were initially known for, Image now publish comedy series and series for kids alongside their "mature readers" material. |
| 306 | * LongRunners: |
| 307 | ** Of the eight original titles, the only ones that have managed to run continuously to this day are ''ComicBook/{{Spawn}}'' and ''ComicBook/SavageDragon''. Notably, the latter is ''still'' being written and drawn by Erik Larsen alone, while maintaining something close to a regular release schedule. |
| 308 | ** ''ComicBook/YoungbloodImageComics'' was the very first title, and while no particular run was very long (the longest being ''Team Youngblood'' at 22 issues), it's been relaunched many times by different creators with Liefeld determined to keep the series alive. |
| 309 | ** ''ComicBook/TheWalkingDead'' started in 2003 and finally ended in 2019. |
| 310 | ** Similarly, ''ComicBook/{{Invincible}}'' started in 2002 and only ended in 2018, ''sixteen years'' after it debuted. |
| 311 | * NinetiesAntiHero: This was their specialty and utilized it for as long as the fad lasted. Spawn himself might be the most famous, but also beloved one, during this time. |
| 312 | * ProtectionFromEditors: [[invoked]] Their main goal was to provide a place where comic book creators had full control over their own work, right up to owning it entirely. That principle is true to this day. |
| 313 | * {{Retool}}: Many of the "first generation" Image series have been heavily retooled (some more than once) to fit into the modern comics scene. |
| 314 | * [[invoked]] ScheduleSlip: The early Image comics became notorious for this, and it's one of the few commonalities between Image's early and modern incarnations. Image's constant lateness with their half of the ''Deathmate'' crossover with Creator/ValiantComics is often held responsible for MediaNotes/TheGreatComicsCrashOf1996. ''Image United'', intended as a tenth anniversary project between the original founders, didn't release a first issue until 2009. They managed to release two more over the next year... and then it dropped off the face of the Earth. Over a decade later, it still hasn't been finished! |
| 315 | * SharedUniverse: Their early superhero material was based in a shared universe to compete with Marvel and DC. Various crisis crossovers later fractured the universe so that each founder's characters were largely confined to their own [[TheVerse independent universe]], which is usually still the case today for the "first generation" Image superhero titles, even after they've been [[{{Retool}} drastically retooled]], like ''Comicbook/{{Prophet}}''. Notably, in more recent years ''Comicbook/{{Invincible}}'' has done a lot of the heavy lifting for the "Image Universe", featuring crossovers with many of the other founders' characters. |
| 316 | * StartMyOwn: The company was started by seven former Creator/MarvelComics artists who wanted to maintain full control over their product after having dealt with ExecutiveMeddling. |
| 317 | * {{Superhero}}: While initially rooted in the genre, complete with a SharedUniverse, since branching out many of their works are often ''not'' superhero-related. Instead, they encompass many different genres, and the superhero genre is just ''one'' of them. |
| 318 |
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