Image Comics

Image Comics is an American independent comic book publisher and, by market share, the third largest publisher of comic books and graphic novels in the direct market. It was founded in 1992 by several high-profile illustrators as a venue for creator-owned properties, so that comics creators could publish material of their own creation without giving up the copyrights. That differs from the work-for-hire model that dominates the American comics industry, where the publisher, such as Marvel Comics or DC Comics, is the legal author and the creator is an employee. Its early output was mainly superhero and fantasy titles from the studios of the founding partners, but it now covers many genres by numerous independent creators. Best-known publications include Spawn, The Walking Dead, Kick-Ass, Invincible, Witchblade, The Maxx, Savage Dragon, Saga, East of West and Monstress.