Summary
- Image Comics has produced some of the greatest comic series in the last 30 years, with memorable series like The Department of Truth and Youngblood.
- Image Comics sets itself apart by blending different genres and pushing the boundaries of storytelling, as seen in Witchblade and Kick-Ass.
- The success of Image Comics is also attributed to its unique and diverse range of characters and stories, like Saga and Invincible, which have become popular within the comic book community.
In their three decades of existence, Image Comics has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the art of comic books. With a wide variety of types of stories, Image publishes tales for all sorts of readers and they continue to exist on the cutting edge of the medium.
From classic antiheroes like Spawn to horror staples like The Walking Dead, Image Comics has produced some of the greatest comic series of the last thirty years. Even within the Image imprint, some series have elevated beyond the others and those are the most memorable.
1 The Department Of Truth (2020-Present)
Created by James Tynion & Martin Simmonds
Though a relative newcomer to the Image imprint, The Department of Truth has had a huge impact on the comic world and was one of the best Image Comics of 2021. The book follows a government employee who is brought into a secret operation known as the Department of Truth. The purpose of the group is to suppress conspiracy theories that can come to life if enough people believe in them.
Blending in all elements of conspiracy thought, as well as the occult and true crime, The Department of Truth is one of the strangest comic series of all time. What makes the book so unique, besides its concept, is that it uses multiple methods to tell its story including text, and a variety of different art styles each month.
2 Youngblood (1992-1994)
Created by Rob Liefeld
Image Comics and creator Rob Liefeld are inseparable, even if they have split and reunited several times over the years. Youngblood follows a group of superheroes who not only fight supervillains but are treated as celebrities by a world that adores them.
While alternative versions of superheroes are commonplace today, Youngblood was truly ahead of its time with its clever concept. Though Youngblood eventually left the Image Comics imprint, the historic first run was the best that the series ever achieved, and it put the young imprint on the right path towards what it would become today.
3 Jupiter's Legacy (2013-Present)
Created by Mark Millar & Frank Quitely
Though dealing with superheroes, Jupiter's Legacy is also a whip-smart comment on the political climate of the United States. The book tells the story of the generational conflict between different eras of superheroes and the pressure put on the younger generation of heroes to succeed the way that their elders did.
Mark Millar's clever writing is a prime example of what sets Image apart from the other comic publishers. While superhero stories can be complicated, Millar found a way to work modern political problems into a timeless story of generational strife. The comic was adapted into a series for Netflix, but because of the many differences from the book, the show was not well received.
4 Witchblade (1995-2015)
Created by Marc Silvestri, David Wohl, Brian Haberlin, Christina Z, and Michael Turner
The early days of Image Comics saw a lot of their series tackle the familiar superhero genre, but added in clever twists on the concept. Witchblade tells the story of an NYPD detective who comes into possession of the mysterious Witchblade gauntlet which gives her powers to fight a plethora of supernatural enemies.
With its original run lasting two decades, Witchblade proved to be a useful property for Image as it was adapted into a TV series as well as an anime. By presenting a unique female hero, the book set itself apart from the bigger comic imprints and their more straightforward female stars. The comic was revived for a shorter-lived second volume and shows no signs of ever departing from the Image imprint.
5 Kick-Ass (2008-2014)
Created by Mark Millar & John Romita, Jr.
Though initially published by Marvel Comics under their Icon imprint, Kick-Ass was picked up by Image and became one of its best series. The book follows a teenage boy who becomes a vigilante hero that inspires others to take up the cause. Soon he gets involved with other would-be heroes who hope to take down a powerful mob family.
Kick-Ass soared because of its gritty portrayal of actual heroes. While most comics portray the glamorous side of super-powered heroes, Kick-Ass showed what it would be like in a realistic situation. The book also makes subtle commentary about vigilantism in general and a lot of its cleverness comes from writer Mark Millar, an Image Comics staple.
6 Saga (2012-Present)
Created by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples
Moving away from the superhero comics that made them, Image has found success with a plethora of interesting stories in other genres as well. Saga is the story of a couple from warring races of alien species who attempt to raise a child together while fleeing the authorities from each of their homeworlds.
With a mix of Star Wars and epic fantasies like Lord of the Rings, Saga managed to find a unique niche all by itself. Though the concept is simple, the comic excels because of its many great characters who inhabit the world of the story. Though the book took a multi-year hiatus, it is still one of Image's most popular current series.
7 Invincible (2003-2018)
Created by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker & Ryan Ottley
Like larger imprints that have their universe, Image also created their inclusive world and Invincible told a compelling story within the Image Comics universe. The story follows teenage Mark Grayson as he begins to develop superpowers like his father, Omni-man. Following in his father's footsteps, Invincible fights his own battles while being mentored by his dad.
With a plethora of exciting powers, Invincible managed to be both familiar and refreshing at the same time. Robert Kirkman's writing also helped to set the series above the usual superhero fodder and the comic went in unique directions over its lengthy run. By showing the family dynamic, Invincible added a domestic element to the usual superhero formula.
8 The Walking Dead (2003-2019)
Created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore & Charlie Adlard
Few non-superhero comics have had as big an impact on popular culture as Image's The Walking Dead. Set in a zombie-infested post-apocalypse, the story follows an ex-police officer and his family as they attempt to find safety and sanctuary in an unfriendly world. Surrounded by danger on all sides, the characters quickly learn that other people are still the most dangerous enemy of all.
The series ran for quite a while before it was picked up for its hit television adaptation on AMC. What set it apart from most other zombie stories was its unique setting and characters, as well as the black and white art style. With zombies as a backdrop, The Walking Dead's real conflicts play out between its living characters.
9 Savage Dragon (1992-Present)
Created by Erik Larsen
Since the beginning of the imprint, Savage Dragon has been an integral part of Image Comic's identity. The book follows The Dragon, a green superhero who joins the Chicago police department to fight crime and stop his super-villain enemies.
Savage Dragon is unique because it has not only been running for over thirty years but has also been written and drawn by the same artist for the entire run. The Dragon is an archetypal hero and bears a striking resemblance to many of the most famous heroes of comic history. Despite this, the urban setting and clever writing have kept the character fresh and unique over its three-decade run.
10 Spawn (1992-Present)
Created by Todd McFarlane
Much in the same way that Superman is the icon of DC Comics, Spawn is the heart and soul of Image. The book tells the story of a mercenary soldier who is killed and sent to hell. Once there, he is allowed to return to earth as a hellspawn which grants him superpowers that he uses to fight evil.
Surely one of the most iconic comic book characters of the 1990s, Spawn had a unique image as an antihero. With a dark veneer that made even Batman seem lighthearted, Spawn's connection to the underworld was an interesting twist. While most comics have a hopeful view of the world, Spawn is uniquely hopeless in its philosophy, and very much an integral part of the Image Comics universe.