A Brief History Of Image Comics From 1992 To Present Day

Image Comics was founded in 1992 by seven comic book artists who were dissatisfied with the traditional model of comic book publishing, in which artists often had little creative control or financial ownership of their work. These artists were Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Marc Silvestri, Erik Larsen, Whilce Portacio, and Jim Valentino.

The founding of Image Comics was a watershed moment in the comic book industry, as it represented a major shift in power from publishers to creators. The seven founders each brought their own unique styles and sensibilities to the company, and Image Comics quickly became known for its edgy, creator-driven content.

In its early years, Image Comics was perhaps best known for its superhero titles, which were often more violent and mature than the mainstream superhero comics being published by Marvel and DC. Todd McFarlane's "Spawn," which debuted in 1992, was one of the most popular and influential Image titles, and helped establish the company as a serious player in the industry.

As Image Comics continued to grow, it diversified its offerings beyond superheroes, publishing a wide range of genres and styles, from horror to science fiction to autobiographical comics. Some of the most notable titles published by Image in the 1990s and early 2000s include "The Walking Dead," "Saga," "Invincible," "The Darkness," and "Witchblade."

Throughout its history, Image Comics has remained committed to its founding principles of creator ownership and artistic freedom. This has led to some high-profile disputes with creators over the years, including a lawsuit over the rights to "Spawn" between Todd McFarlane and co-creator Neil Gaiman, and a dispute over the ownership of the character Angela between McFarlane and Marvel Comics.

Despite these challenges, Image Comics has remained a major player in the comic book industry, and has continued to attract top talent to its roster of creators. In recent years, the company has expanded its reach beyond comics, publishing graphic novels, trade paperbacks, and other formats, and its titles have been adapted into various forms of media, including television shows and movies.

Today, Image Comics remains a vital and influential force in the comic book industry, and is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and artist-friendly publishers in the business.