For a long time Image Comics was the new kid on the block. Formed by disenchanted Marvel artists who wanted more control over their content and careers, Image was launched in 1992 and had immediate success by releasing a series of popular new titles. These included: Youngblood (by Rob Liefeld), The Savage Dragon (Erik Larson), Spawn (Todd McFarlane), and WildC.A.T.s (by Jim Lee).
The initial surge of interest in Image comics was soon slowed however by both internal and external factors. Internally, the brand was not helped by the constant delays (sometimes for months) of the release of subsequent issues. Externally, the great comic book market implosion of the early nineties also cut into the rhythm of Image’s early success. Surviving the 1990s comic book market meltdown, today Image is an established and respected publisher, known for the lasting success of early titles like Spawn and the later popularity of comics such as: Chew, Morning Glories, Fatale, and The Manhattan Projects. Commanding both devoted readers and high prices on the market, Image comics should never be overlooked by speculators. Here I will take a look at just a few of the Image titles that are already either bona fide hits or are attracting attention and can be described as ‘up and coming’.
We can start with Saga. A mixture of Star Wars and dark family drama, Saga is the brainchild of Brian K. Vaughan (Y the Last Man) and illustrator Fiona Staples. This comic was an instant hit upon its release garnering both critical acclaim and earning many awards. The series subsequently gained a devoted following that, by word of mouth, grew its fan base to make it a certified Image hit. Saga #1, the book that started it all, is currently on its fifth printing. Estimates on the initial print run put the numbers at roughly just under 40, 000. So, relatively small. You can tell different editions apart from the color of the 'Saga' logo (the first printing has an orange logo, second prints are black, third: blue, etc.) You’ll want a copy of the first print if you’re thinking of picking this up as an investment. Unless, that is, you can find the very rare C2E2 convention variant. Given its popularity, you’d think this would be a candidate for the next 'Star Wars' at the box office. Officially, and according to the creators, there currently is no film on the way, but that may change. What’s impressive is how a lack of a film or live action series for publicizing this comic hasn’t stopped prices from rising. Currently a 9.8 (and for most modern comics this is the only grade that will guarantee positive return on investment) are hovering at around the $400.00 price range. This is a positive ROI of +33% since 2013. Imagine what would happen if a successful movie appeared?
Lazarus, by contrast, is definitely coming to Amazon streaming as a live action series. If successful, that may be enough to shoot the value of this comic upwards. As the name implies, Lazarus is about a death defying character, in this case, the name connotes a type of character. In a dystopian future where oligarchic orders of wealthy families rule gang style over an oppressed and resource depleted population – every important family has a Lazarus. These bio-enhanced soldiers are the product of scientific research applied to military engineering. Greg Rucka and Michael Lark’s comic focuses on one family (the Carlyle clan) and their Lazarus: Forever Carlyle (who may or may not be an actual member of the Carlyle family). First print editions of this comic, in CGC 9.8 shape, can still be purchased for well under $100.00. Return on investment stands at + 42.9% since 2013. Get yours now.
If Saga is 'Star Wars' meets 'Game of Thrones', then Monstress by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda can be described as Steampunk meets Kaiju. With luscious art and driving narrative, Monstress is a fantasy epic about a girl (Maika) who can control a monster through telepathic influence. Having already broken the $100.00 mark on 9.8 graded copies, this comic is hot . With 459 copies recorded on the CGC census, and more than half 9.8’s, this gives that grade a + 22.3% return on investment since 2016. In other words, this is a comic that shouldn’t be passed up.
