Thematic Sunday: Image Comics For New Comic Book Readers

So if you've delved into comics, probably the first thing you noticed is all the different publishers. Marvel and DC (sometimes called The Big Two), are the most well known. But there is also Image, Dark Horse, Vertigo, and so many more along with a bunch of indy publishers. Image is having quite a moment right now. They have lots of popular series under their belts. They're a great gateway for new comic book readers because there's not decades of history that you have to delve through. So here are some top Image comic book series that I recommend for newcomers to comics, or if you're just new to Image in general. FYI, most of these are going to be adult rated.

1) The Walking Dead series by Robert Kirkman

Unless you've been living under a rock somewhere, you likely already know about this series. So I won't bother describing it. But if you're a fan of the show, absolutely pick up the graphic novel series it's based on. You won't be spoiled for it, the comics are very different from the show.

2) Chew series by John Layman

I recommended this back in my first general comic book post and the recommendation still stands: this series is great. For those that missed the first one: it's about a detective named Tony Chu who gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats (think iZombie, but with food instead of brains and wackier hijinks).

3) Alex + Ada series by Johnathan Luna and Sara Vaughn

Love sci-fi drama with androids? This one is for you.

4) Bitch Planet series by Kelly Sue DeConnick

Into dystopians? I highly recommend this series about women who get sent to a prison planet if they put even the slightest toe out of line. If you like this, also check out DeConnick's Pretty Deadly series, which is also published under Image. FYI, she also writes for the Captain Marvel series.

5) The Fade Out series by Ed Brubaker

Love noir? Who doesn't. Check out this series set at the end of golden age Hollywood about a writer and a mystery to solve.

6) Morning Glories series by Nick Spencer

Into the high school with secrets trope? Also like X-Men? Then I recommend this series about kids who get sent to a fancy boarding school with sinister things going on.

7) Saga series by Brian K. Vaughn

Yes, Saga again. This series is just that awesome.

8) Sex Criminals series by Matt Fraction

I have not gotten to this one yet, but I've heard good things. This one is about a couple who has a odd gift where they both can stop time when they have sex. They decide to use the convenience of stopped time to do things like rob banks.

9) Witchblade series by Ron Marz and Mike Choi

You might remember hearing about Witchblade a couple of years back when there was a TV show made of it. Well, the series goes much better. This is a rebooted version of it and it's perfect for newcomers.

10) Monstress series by Marjorie M. Liu

This is a fairly new series with utterly gorgeous art that I recommend for all fantasy fans.








Bonus series to look into: Lazurus series by Greg Rucka
The Wicked and the Divine series by Kieron Gillen
Rat Queens series by Kurtis J. Wiebe
Southern Bastards series by Jason Aaron