Image Comics Reveals Its New Multiverse

As a long-time comic book enthusiast and collector who has witnessed the rise and fall of many superhero universes, I must admit that Image Comics‘ latest venture into the multiverse with Ghost Machine has me thoroughly excited. Having grown up reading the works of Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi, Brad Meltzer, and other industry legends during their tenure at DC, it’s a delight to see them reunite in creating an entirely new universe.


Over more than three decades, Image Comics has taken numerous paths in its evolution. Initially, the independent publisher attempted to mimic the companies of the ‘Image Seven’ superstars – Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld, Marc Silvestri, Erik Larsen, Jim Valentino, and Whilce Portacio – by creating a somewhat consistent superhero universe where crossovers were feasible. However, as founders like Liefeld and Silvestri came and went, this changed, leading to Image assuming the structure it currently has – a publishing house for standalone titles from top writers and artists in the field. Recently, though, the Geoff Johns imprint has altered that trend, establishing a multiverse for Image Comics.

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but express my excitement over “Rocketfellers #2,” penned by Peter Tomasi and illustrated by Francis Manapul. This comic boasts a breathtaking two-page spread, where Manapul collaborates with other superstar artists from the Ghost Machine universe – Jason Fabok, Gary Frank, Bryan Hitch, Peter Snejberg, and Ivan Reis. Together, they present the four realms of this freshly minted cosmos.

Ghost Machine’s Multiverse Is Being Constructed By The Best In The Business

Johns, Tomasi, and Meltzer all honed their comic writing skills at DC Comics, being ardent admirers of the publisher’s Silver and Bronze Age. The distinctive characteristic of this era in DC was the multiverse, a vast array of Earths that allowed the creators to explore various storylines featuring DC’s superheroes. However, the multiverse could be perplexing for less devoted fans, and it was phased out with the 1985 miniseries Crisis On Infinite Earths. This state lasted for two decades, during which Johns, Tomasi, and to a lesser extent, Meltzer were instrumental in setting up the build-up to Infinite Crisis, a Johns-penned event book that paved the way for the return of the DC Multiverse. Later, Johns and Tomasi played significant roles in creating the New 52, an entirely new DC Multiverse introduced in 2011. Johns took a break from comic writing to contribute to the DCEU but returned with DC: Rebirth #1, once again altering the DC Multiverse’s continuity and leading into Doomsday Clock and Flashpoint Beyond, where he discussed the Omniverse and the Metaverse. Therefore, anyone who expects Ghost Machine not to feature a multiverse, given its wide variety of comics, hasn’t been closely following the developments.

The power of Ghost Machine lies in its ability to deliver a vast array of content in a compact timeframe. Geiger presents a post-apocalyptic superhero saga, Junkyard Joe echoes the spirit of old DC war comics, Redcoat draws from reality with its immortal Revolutionary War-era British protagonist, Hyde Street invites you into the realm of horror, Rook Exodus explores dystopian sci-fi landscapes, and Rocketfellers offers a family-oriented sci-fi tale set in the distant future. This diverse range of books showcases an impressive pool of talent from some of the finest creators in the industry over the past three decades – Johns, Tomasi, Meltzer, Frank, Reis, Snejberg, Manapul, Hitch, Fabok. The lineup is one that fans would eagerly anticipate for a brand-new multiverse of titles and concepts.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that John appears to have found a fresh wave of inspiration with the latest project. He transitioned from being one of the most prominent figures of the 2000s, sharing the elite company of talents such as Waid and Morrison as masterminds behind DC’s finest works, to a creator whose work was growing stale by the mid-2010s. His subsequent works at DC following DC: Rebirth #1 didn’t garner the same love from fans as before, although it could be argued that he concluded on a high note with projects like Flashpoint Beyond, The New Golden Age, Justice Society Of America, and particularly Stargirl: The Lost Children, which were generally well-received by both fans and critics. However, his departure from DC wasn’t nearly as celebrated as his initial tenure. With Ghost Machine, John has been producing exceptional new stories and concepts, drawing upon his past works but also creating something novel. A reinvigorated John at the helm of his own multiverse should set the stage for success.

The Ghost Machine Multiverse Gives Image Yet Another Blockbuster Franchise

Since the early 2010s, Image Comics has been on a remarkable streak. The publisher consistently attracts top-tier talent within the comic industry, giving them the freedom to narrate stories they are passionate about and maintain full rights over. What sets Image apart is that they only hold the iconic “I” logo; however, this emblem has come to symbolize quality. Comics enthusiasts recognize Image as the prime destination in the independent comic market for an array of exceptional comics. With Ghost Machine, they’ve added another powerful tool to their arsenal – a multiverse conceived by some of the most influential creators in superhero comics over the past three decades.

Although Image Comics may no longer be in the golden age it once was, boasting sales surpassing many Marvel and DC titles without their iconic characters on the cover, it’s hard to dispute the abundance of raw talent and innovative ideas within its ranks. The Ghost Machine Multiverse is just one more testament to Image’s success and has already delighted many fans. What makes Image so effective is the rich variety of series under its banner, and by releasing more interconnected books, especially from the talented minds at Ghost Machine, they are only increasing their appeal.

You can check out Ghost Machine at Image Comics.

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2024-11-21 20:10