FAQ

What is Image Comics?
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of bestselling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States, and is the #2 graphic novel publisher in America. It is the publisher of such award winning titles as, Spawn, The Walking Dead, Invincible, Saga, Monstress, Deadly Class, Chew, The Old Guard, I Kill Giants, Criminal, The Department of Truth, W0rldtr33, Geiger, Descender, Gideon Falls, It’s Lonely At The Centre of The Earth, Do A Power Bomb, and more. The company currently has six individuals on the Board of Directors: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino, and Eric Stephenson. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor, and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today.

Who founded Image Comics?
Image Comics was originally founded by seven artists: Erik Larsen, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino. Of those seven founders, only six opted to become the Board of Directors: Larsen, Lee, Liefeld, McFarlane, Silvestri, and Valentino. To learn more about the origin of Image Comics, watch SYFY’s documentary “So Much Damage.”

Who are the current Image Board of Directors members?
There are currently six individuals on the Image Comics Board of Directors: Robert Kirkman (Chief Operating Officer), Erik Larsen (Chief Financial Officer), Todd McFarlane (President), Marc Silvestri (Chief Executive Officer), Jim Valentino (Vice President), and Eric Stephenson (Chief Creative Officer & Publisher).

What's Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow, Shadowline, and Skybound?
Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline Comics, and Skybound Entertainment are each separate companies owned and fully controlled by an Image Board of Directors member. As such, Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline Comics, and Skybound Entertainment are each fully autonomous from Image Central and are not bound by the rules and regulations thereof. Shadowline, Skybound, TMP, and Top Cow are not “imprints” of Image, they are, for all intents and purposes separate publishing companies that operate in concert with with Image.

What does “creator-owned” mean?
“Creator-owned” means exactly that—the trademark and copyright of the work in question is wholly owned by its original creator. The majority of the comics and graphic novels published by Image are creator-owned. While Image as a company spearheads the promotion and distribution of the titles it publishes, it does so with non-creative interference to protect the company and maintain responsibility for our public image.

What do the ratings on Image comics and graphic novels mean?
E is for EVERYONE (all ages)
Suitable for all ages.
T is for TEEN (ages 12+)
Some material may not be suitable for children. May contain mild profanity, dark material or some material parents may find unsuitable or wish to discuss with younger readers.
T+ is for TEEN PLUS (ages 16+)
Some material may be inappropriate for children under 16/pre-teenagers. May contain profanity, minor violence, or drug paraphernalia where appropriate to the story. Parents are urged to be cautious.
M is for MATURE (ages 18+)
Material may contain sexually explicit content, heavy use of profanity, or excessive gore/violence and the story was created with an adult audience in mind.

How do books get greenlit for publication at Image Comics?
There are no Acquisitions Editors at Image Comics, so all submissions are reviewed by Eric Stephenson, the Publisher at Image Comics, who is the head of the company and cultivates each year’s list selectively based upon a number of factors.

How do I submit my comic/graphic novel idea for consideration?
Carefully read our Submission Guidelines and follow the instructions.

Where can I find Image comics and graphic novels?

"Direct Market" (Comic Shops):
Image Comics is distributed by Lunar Distribution and Image product is available at comic shops worldwide. To find your local comic shop visit the Local Comic Shop Locator.

Mass Market/Independent Bookstores - U.S. & Canada:
Image Comics’ trade collected editions and graphic novels are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Independent Bookstores (find your local independent bookstore with the IndieBound Store Locator or visit BookShop.org), and Indigo.

They are distributed by Simon & Schuster (retailers can visit the S&S ordering page for details) and are available from Baker & Taylor, Bookazine, Ingram, Lake-Cook Distributors, and other wholesalers.

Libraries:
Print editions of Image Comics’ collected editions and graphic novels are available from Baker & Taylor, Bookazine, Ingram, Follett School Solutions, Brodart, Mackin, Children’s Plus, and Booksource.

Digital editions are distributed to libraries via Overdrive, HooplaDigital, and LibraryPass.

Gift / Museum / Coffee / Small Independent Shops:
For gift / museum / coffee or other small independent shops that are looking to carry our books, we are now available for wholesale orders through Faire.

Mass Market/Independent Bookstores - UK, Australia, & non-North American:
Image Comics’ trade collected editions and graphic novels are distributed to stores in other non-North American countries, such as Waterstones and Shakespeare & co., via Diamond UK.

Digital Editions:
Image Comics are available for purchase across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Foreign Editions:
Translations of Image Comics’ titles are available via licensing agreements with a variety of publishers worldwide. For more information, contact: foreignlicensing@imagecomics.com

What is Image Direct?
Image Direct was a postal mail subscription service that was discontinued on 3/4/2019.

Where can I purchase official Image Comics merchandise?
You can visit the official Image Comics Threadless shop, contact your local comic shop to inquire about purchasing official Image Comics merchandise, or purchase merchandise at the Image Comics booth at San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic Con, Emerald City Comic Con, or most other conventions whenever there is an official Image Comics booth presence.

How can I get an examination or desk copy for a class I am teaching?
Examination or desk copies are available to teachers seeking titles for use in the classroom. All requests are subject to review. To request a copy, please fill out the form on the contact page.

How do I get permission to use images/copy from one of your books?
Please fill out the form on the contact page and be sure to indicate which title(s) you are interested in and what material you would like to use (including page numbers/referential screenshots), as well as complete details regarding the use and your project.

I’m a member of the media—how do I request an ARC, galley, review PDF, or get in contact with Image Comics’ talent for an interview?
For all media/press inquiries, contact: katsalazar@imagecomics.com.

I’m interested in developing Image Comics IP—what is the process?
Image Comics is a creator-owned company, which means that all the writers and artists retain their media rights. If you’re interested in an IP, please fill out the form on the contact page with the titles you’re interested in and they can relay your inquiry along to the correct point of contact for a particular IP.

What is your donation/corporate giving policy?
We love to support nonprofit organizations when we can, especially focusing on literacy and art. To make a request, applicants should submit a proposal on the contact page.

Requests must include date needed by, a brief description of your organization, specific items desired, and the organization's tax ID number. Only those organizations whose requests are granted will be contacted.

Are creators on staff at Image Comics?
Creators are not employees of Image. They are independent and speak for themselves. The Image Comics staff is comprised of Accounting, Marketing, Production, and Sales departmental employees.

Do you ever give office tours?
No. None of Image Comics’ writers or artists work in-office and the Image staff works remotely.

Where can I find the site privacy policy and terms of use?
Click for the Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

For all other questions & comments please fill out the form on the contact page. Thank you!