It's been 30 years since the founding of Image Comics in 1992. Seven of the most popular creators in comcis broke away from the Big Two of Marvel and DC to start an independent publishing initiative the likes of which the comic book industry had never seen. In the three decades that have followed, Image has helped reshape the comics industry in countless ways.
Many of the titles created by the Image founders have drastically changed, a few have remained consistent, and some are no longer in publication. However, the impression their creators made 30 years ago sent ripples throughout the comics world that are still being felt today. The Image founders changed comic books forever, and many of them continue to make new marks in the industry.
Jim Valentino Was The First Image Founder To Be A Company Executive
Member Of The Board Of Directors For The Hero Initiative
When he started out his career in comics, Jim Valentino primarily worked on the indie circuit, self-publishing the superhero satire normalman. In 1990, he began working with Marvel and launched a new Guardians of the Galaxy title that was met with critical and commercial success.
In 1992, Valentino left Marvel along with other creators to found Image Comics. Valentino published Shadowhawk, about a violent antihero living with HIV. In 1999, Valentino began a four-year run as Publisher of Image Comics. Today, Valentino is a member of the board of directors for The Hero Initiative, a non-profit organization benefiting comics creators in need.
Whilce Portacio Overcame Tragedy
Working With Marvel On X-Men Legends
Whilce Portacio was another Image founder who made a name for himself working with Marvel. The artist first broke out while working on X-Factor before he became the penciler for Uncanny X-Men. On that title, Portacio, along with John Byrne, created the mutant Bishop.
Whilice Portacio's planned debut title with Image, Wetworks, was delayed until 1994 after Portacio's sister was diagnosed with lupus. In 2000, Portacio overcame a pancreatic illness but recovered and has done work for DC's Batman Confidential, Image's Spawn, and Marvel's Hulk as well as a triumphant return to Uncanny X-Men. Most recently, Portacio has worked on Marvel's X-Men Legends.
Erik Larsen Built A Legacy On Consistency
30 Years - And Counting - Of Savage Dragon
The most consistent of the Image founders has been Erik Larsen. Larsen stepped into some big shoes for his big break, taking over for Todd McFarlane as penciler of Amazing Spider-Man in 1990. While on the title, Larsen drew what would become the definitive interpretation of the horrific Venom.
Larsen left Marvel in 1992 to found Image, where he still publishes Savage Dragon to this day. Larsen has written and drawn all but one issue of the comic's 30-year run. In 2000, Larsen returned to Marvel to pencil Amazing Spider-Man for two issues, and in 2019 he contributed scripts and pencils for Spider-Man: Big Shot, a one-shot issue celebrating Marvel's 80th anniversary.
Marc Silvestri Has Been Back-And-Forth With Image
CEO Of Top Cow And Image
A comic book penciler since the mid '80s, Marc Silvestri's first big splash was as the artist for Uncanny X-Men from 1987 through 1990. Following his run with the X-Men, Silvestri moved over to art duties on Wolverine.
Silvestri launched his Image imprint, Top Cow Productions, in 1992 with Cyberforce. Top Cow was a successful brand for Image, as Silvestri oversaw the launch of Witchblade, a title that had cross-media appeal and a short-lived television adaptation. Silvestri severed ties with Image briefly in 1996 due to a falling out with fellow co-founder Rob Liefeld, but eventually returned to the company. Today, Silvestri is CEO of both Top Cow and Image Comics. Silvestri's first DC Black Label series, Batman/Joker: The Deadly Duo, was released on November 1, 2022.
Rob Liefeld Burned Bridges With His Co-Founders
Teaching Comics History Via Robservations And Working On A Number Of Projects
Rob Liefeld was the first of the Image Comics founders to release his debut title, Youngblood. Liefeld's role in founding Image came after three years with Marvel Comics, where he worked on New Mutants and X-Force, co-creating Cable with writer Louise Simonson, and creating the Merc with a Mouth himself, Deadpool.
Youngblood was launched under Liefeld's Extreme Studios imprint. The youngest Image co-founder, Liefeld's banner also published Prophet and Supreme, among other titles. However, tensions grew between Liefeld and his co-founders, and reports differ to this day whether Liefeld resigned or was fired from Image. Whatever the case, Liefeld and his peers cleared the air, and the artist returned to Image in 2007. Along with working on various comics, Liefeld has the popular podcast Robservations, where he digs deep into the history of the comics industry.
Todd McFarlane Conquered Comics And Beyond
Running A Toy Empire
In the mid '90s, there was no more powerful independent comic book creator than Todd McFarlane, who started his career with DC before moving to Marvel and working on Amazing Spider-Man. McFarlane quickly became the most popular artist in comics, and many of the characteristics of his take on Spider-Man are still in use today.
After growing frustrated with editorial interference on his new Spider-Man title - for which he was writer and penciler - McFarlane left Marvel to co-found Image Comics, where he introduced the world to Spawn. In addition to Spawn, McFarlane oversees McFarlane Entertainment and McFarlane Toys, one of the most successful licensed toy manufacturers in the world. At the end of the year, McFarlane will team up with his longtime collaborator Greg Capullo and DC will release the third Batman/Spawn crossover.
Jim Lee Founded His Own Company And Then Became A Company Man
Publisher Of DC Comics
The image most readers have of the X-Men probably owes a lot to the penciling talents of Jim Lee. In 1989, Lee took over as regular penciler for Uncanny X-Men. Two years later, X-Men (Vol 2) #1, with himself as penciler and co-plotter alongside writer Chris Claremont, became the best-selling single-issue comic book of all time. The books sold 8.1 million copies, a record that holds today.
Despite his success with Marvel, the possibility of greater creative freedom contributed to Lee becoming one of Image's co-founders. Lee's imprint, WildStorm Productions, wound up being Image's most prolific in its early years, turning out WildC.A.T.s, Stormwatch, and Gen13 among others. In 1999, Lee left Image and sold WildStorm to DC Comics. In 2010, Lee became Co-Publisher at DC alongside Dan Didio. Since Didio's departure, Lee has handled the position solo.