Welcome back to Soliciting Multiversity for Image Comics! This time we’ll be taking a look at Image’s release for December 2015 and picking our Top Ten to look out for from their solicitations. As you might have guessed, December’s going to be a slow month for Image in terms of new, big releases and most of the series they have going will be in the middle of their story arcs. That means putting together a Top Ten worth talking about was a little… interesting this month.

Let’s dive right into it, shall we?

10. Where Has Jake Ellis Been For The Last Year?

I promise not to make any jokes about Nathan Edmondson here. In fact, I honestly haven’t actually read this series at all. The only reason I’m including it is because I thought the series had concluded ages ago and, as it turns out, I was almost right. The last issue of “Where Is Jake Ellis?” came out in August of last year and now, finally, it is concluding. Why did it take a year? I have no idea, but I’m sure someone out there is glad to see the final issue of it.

WHERE IS JAKE ELLIS? #5 (OF 5)

STORY: NATHAN EDMONDSON

ART: TONCI ZONJIC & JORDAN GIBSON

COVER: TONCI ZONJIC

DECEMBER 2 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.50 The game has been changed. Jon and Jake have passed the point of no return, and now they are faced with one last thing: EVERGREEN.

9. We Stood On Guard

For some reason, I was convinced this was an ongoing series. I have no idea why, but when this was announced, I remember thinking it was going to be an ongoing series. Turns out I was dead wrong and “We Stand On Guard” will be wrapping up in December. I haven’t actually gotten around to reading this series yet, but I’m almost glad it turned out to be a miniseries as it gives me more of a chance to one day catch up and read it. I’ve heard some really good things about it.

WE STAND ON GUARD #6 (OF 6)

STORY: BRIAN K. VAUGHAN

ART / COVER: STEVE SKROCE

DECEMBER 9 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99

MINISERIES CONCLUSION The smash-hit miniseries reaches its epic FINAL ISSUE with explosive battles and shocking revelations… but how will things end for the Great White North?

8. This Would Be Higher On The List If I Knew What It Was About

The thing about solicitations is that, really, they’re not meant for us. They’re mostly meant for retailers to get a sense of what each issue is about in order to see what they should order for their store. Sometimes that means that solicitations have to be pretty vague to avoid just outright spoiling the issue. This one, however, takes the cake for taking what sounds like an interesting idea and making it sound like we’ve heard all of this before. I’m still interested enough to check it out eventually, but it’s not because of the solicit that’s for sure.

SYMMETRY #1

STORY: MATT HAWKINS

ART / COVERS A, B, & C: RAFFAELE IENCO

DECEMBER 9 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99 Utopia is here. Hunger, sickness, work…all relics of a long forgotten past. For the greater good of the human species, all individuality, creativity, and negative emotions have been genetically bred out and medically suppressed. The population is limited to segregated areas where people lead long lives of leisure, games, and socializing. Only one man and one woman seem to notice, care, or think differently. Once they find each other, their relationship sparks a revolution…but will their love cause the salvation or destruction of mankind?

7. I Spent Twenty Minutes Workshopping Pledged Is Pledged/Proofed Is Proofed Puns Before Giving Up

I liked “Wytches” #1. It was, sadly, the only issue I read of the series as when it came out I had to be really stringent about what series I kept up with. What I liked most about “Wytches” #1 was probably Jock’s art, but I found myself frustrated by the colouring. The messy effect of the colours drew me out of the story on some pages and I really can’t wait to see Jock’s original artwork in black and white just to see if it improves the issue even more for me.

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IMAGE GIANT-SIZED ARTIST’S PROOF EDITION: WYTCHES #1

STORY: SCOTT SNYDER

ART / COVER: JOCK

DECEMBER 30 / 40 PAGES / BW / M / $24.99 The all-new IMAGE GIANT SIZED ARTIST’S PROOF EDITION series presents special artist achievements in their raw form in an oversized format. JOCK’s gruesomely gorgeous line work from WYTCHES #1 is presented here in glorious black and white inks, free of grey tones, at 11×17.

6. The Humans Are Going Extinct… For Now

The thing about slow months with this column is sometimes I end up talking about series I haven’t read. “The Humans” is one of those series. While I thought the covers looked amazing – because who isn’t incredibly hyped over a motorcycle gang of apes? – I just never got around to reading it. Now, it turns out, it’s ending… sort of. The first miniseries of “The Humans” is coming to a close with #10 and will return with a new series in 2016. Much like with “We Stand On Guard”, what this really means for me is that I might get a chance to catch up with this series eventually.

THE HUMANS #10

STORY: KEENAN MARSHALL KELLER

ART / COVER: TOM NEELY

DECEMBER 2 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99 The Humans’ quest for vengeance comes to its violent and bloody conclusion as Johnny and the crew overtake Flex Trucking.

Issue 10 concludes the first THE HUMANS miniseries. THE HUMANS will return in 2016.

5. “The Fade Out” Fades Out

I promise I’ll talk about a series I’ve actually read eventually. Because I also haven’t read “The Fade Out”. But I do love Ed Brubaker and his collaborations with Sean Phillips, so it’s a series that has been on my to-read list, I was just waiting for it to end before going back to read it. That looks like it’ll be in December as the 12th issue of series will be the finale of the series. Hopefully by then I’ll be more caught up on my reading in general too.

THE FADE OUT #12 (OF 12)

STORY: ED BRUBAKER

ART / COVER: SEAN PHILLIPS & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

DECEMBER 16 / 40 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

SERIES CONCLUSION It all ends here! The dramatic wrap-up to the mystery and to Brubaker and Phillips’ bestselling and most ambitious project yet!

4. ‘Satan Saga Wars’ Is The Cannibal Corpse Album That Never Was

Guys… Spawn is fighting Satan. I have never read “Spawn” in my entire life (I haven’t even watched the film), but I might start now because guys he’s fighting Satan. Say what you will about Todd McFarlane, he’s not a creator to shy away from an idea that might be too ludicrous. I mean, why not have Spawn fight the Devil himself? Guy has over 250 issues under his belt. Hell, have him fight God. Just let Spawn run the gauntlet of the Judeo-Christian mythology and just fight all of Heaven and Hell. Turn Spawn into Devil May Cry and just go nuts with it. Just turn Spawn into the Saint Of Killers.

SPAWN #259

STORY: TODD McFARLANE

ART / COVER A: TODD McFARLANE & FRIENDS

COVER B: GERARDO SANDOVAL (PENCILS) & TODD McFARLANE (INKS)

DECEMBER 30 / 32 PAGES / FC / T / $2.99 BEGINNING “THE SATAN SAGA WARS!” — THE FOUR-PART STORY CHRONICLING THE FINAL FATE OF WANDA SIMMONS’ SOUL! THIS STORY WILL FOREVER CHANGE THE WAY SPAWN WILL LIVE HIS LIFE!

In the entire run of the SPAWN comic, our hero has never had to face his greatest threat: Satan himself!

Starting with this issue, Al Simmons will come face to face with Lucifer for the very first time. A battle of epic proportion will begin and the prize is… Wanda’s soul.

This story will forever change the way Spawn will live his life. Join us on this historic odyssey as Spawn takes on the Evil entity that gave him his powers way back in issue #1.

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3. No Relation To Ash

Of all my favourite things in storytelling, my most favourite element is the idea of the magical reality. It’s the idea of presenting a fantastical world with a realistic level of in-world detail. Think Metal Gear Solid. That universe is pure fantasy half the time (there is literally a ghost in one of the games), but it’s offset by an insane level of in-world realism in terms of the military industrial complex and the geo-political landscape. The two elements end up blending almost seamlessly.

Why am I bringing this up? Because blending the western genre with a sense of magical realism is an amazing idea and if “Black Jack Ketchum” can live up to the promise of a “dreamlike version of the Old West” then I am all in on this series.

BLACK JACK KETCHUM #1 (OF 4)

STORY: BRIAN SCHIRMER

ART: CLAUDIA BALBONI

COVER: JEREMY SALIBA

DECEMBER 2 / 32 PAGES / FC / T / $3.99 In a dreamlike version of the Old West, Tom Ketchum struggles to clear his name — and stay alive — when he’s mistaken for wanton outlaw “Black Jack” Ketchum. With the aid of his talking sidearm, a secretive gambler, and a mute girl with a Winchester, Tom evades the mysterious Union and its supernatural enforcers, the faceless Dusters, as he’s forced to question his identity, his sanity, and his very existence.

2. So Much For Digital Exclusivity, Eh?

I’ve talked about this one before, so I don’t want to spend too much time on this, but “The Private Eye” is an amazing comic by amazing creators and if you can’t/won’t get the series digitally, then now’s your chance to own it physically. Also, it’ll make the best Christmas present, y’know.

THE PRIVATE EYE: THE CLOUDBURST EDITION HC

STORY: BRIAN K. VAUGHAN

ART: MARCOS MARTIN & MUNTSA VICENTE

COVER: MARCOS MARTIN

DECEMBER 2 / 304 PAGES / FC / M / 12 x 7.5 / $49.99 THE EISNER AWARD-WINNING “BEST DIGITAL COMIC” IS FINALLY AVAILABLE IN PRINT!

Because retailers, readers, and ROBERT KIRKMAN demanded it, the online sensation from PanelSyndicate.com’s BRIAN K. VAUGHAN (SAGA, PAPER GIRLS) and MARCOS MARTIN (The Amazing Spider-Man, Doctor Strange: The Oath) is finally coming to print with this gorgeous deluxe hardcover edition, presented in the story’s original widescreen format!

Years after the digital cloud “bursts” and exposes all of our worst secrets, THE PRIVATE EYE is set in an inevitable future where everyone has a secret identity. Following an unlicensed P.I. who is thrust into the most important case of his life, this sci-fi mystery explores the nature of privacy with frightening prescience.

Collects THE PRIVATE EYE #1-10

1. A Most Violent Comic

Well, here’s a thing. I love Ed Brisson’s writing. And I loved Adam Gorham’s artwork on “Dead Drop”. That makes this series very interesting as it looks to be a very dark, very mature series that delves deep into the dark places of the human soul. After Brisson’s exploration into similar places with “Sheltered”, I cannot wait to see how depraved this comic will be. It sounds like the kind of dark, mature, character focused drama that Image has been excelling at and I can’t wait.

THE VIOLENT #1

STORY: ED BRISSON

ART / COVER: ADAM GORHAM

DECEMBER 9 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $2.99 From ED BRISSON (SHELTERED) and ADAM GORHAM (Dead Drop) comes an all-new, ongoing series. Meet Mason, an ex-con and former drug addict who’s trying hard to give up his old life. He’s got more important things to live for now: a wife struggling to contain her own addiction and a young daughter who needs them both. When threatened with losing his daughter, Mason falls into old habits, stumbling through a string of desperate criminal acts whose repercussions quickly become deadly serious.

As always, Image’s full soliciations can be found at their website so be sure to head over there for even more Image goodness for the month of December!