In the past two weeks Image Comics has snapped up two promising independently published comic series.  The most recent title to come under the Image banner is Matthew Cashel and Jeremy Haun's Paradigm, which was originally published by Two Irish Guys Press.  A subversive and surrealistic look at what happens when an average guy falls into a tangled web of conspiracy, betrayal, revolution, and fantasy, Paradigm does not appear at first glance to be a typical 'Image' book, but today's Image Comics is a far cry from what it was even five years ago.  Under the leadership of Jim Valentino Image has diversified its lineup, adding James Robinson and Paul Smith's Leave It To Chance (see 'Leave It To Chance Comics Return') and Frank Cho's Liberty Meadows (see 'Image Adds Liberty Meadows') -- two titles that are anything but traditional 'Image' fare.  Even though Dreamwave Productions and others have ankled Image (see 'Turnover At Image'), the publisher has continued to attract independent creators who want to publish under the Image 'I.' For the creators of Paradigm, working with Image allows them to remaster their first issue by expanding its story content from 34 to 42 pages, relettering the book, and putting it out with a gorgeous wraparound cover (see illustration).  The redone Paradigm #1 will be offered in the July Diamond Previews, where the 48-page black-and-white comic will retail for $3.50.

 

Last week Image added Hammer of the Gods by Michel Avon Oeming (Powers, Bastard Samurai) and Mark Wheatley (Mars, Breathtaker) to its roster.  The original five-issue Hammer of the Gods mini-series, which was published by Insight Studios, will be packaged as a full color trade paperback under the Image imprint.  Entitled Hammer of the Gods: Mortal Enemy, the full color 176-page collection will also be listed in the July Previews.  A new full color three-issue mini-series, Hammer Hits China, will appear under the Image banner starting in November.