Image Comics aims to get readers to look at their upcoming releases in a whole new light -- and have the power of "The Walking Dead" to help the cause. Friday afternoon at the ComicsPRO retailer meeting in Portland, Image announced "Image+," a new monthly magazine aimed at fans and retailers, which will be distributed with Diamond's "Previews" catalog at no extra price, similar to Marvel's "Marvel Previews." It'll be available on its own for $1.99.

The magazine is said to "feature Image's upcoming releases, as well as bonus creator-owned comics content," and they've got high-profile content at launch. Each of the first 12 issues will include a four-page "Walking Dead" story by the series creative team of writer Robert Kirkman and artist Charlie Adlard, involving the origins of notorious antagonist Negan and totaling 48 pages of story -- equivalent to slightly more than two typical single issue comics.

Each issue will be 64 pages, and include "exclusive interviews, spotlight features, bonus never-before-seen preview pages, editorials from industry voices, and more in-depth, insightful and provocative comics coverage," curated by Image Comics Branding Manager David Brothers.

"Comics are exciting, and it does them and their creators a disservice to give them rote, by-the-numbers coveraege," Brothers said in a statement. "I cut my teeth on video game magazines before writing about comics professionally, and I'm excited to push that experience in a new direction alongside our Sasha Head, our Sales & Marketing Production Designer. From my perspective, comics have always been cool, and this is a chance to show everyone exactly why I feel that way."

"Image+" is slated to debut in May.