Image Comics 20th Anniversary Celebration

In 1992, seven of the most popular comic book artists in the world joined forces to create Image Comics, a company specializing in the publication of creator-owned comics and graphic novels. The first wave of Image Comics was an immediate hit with fans, and the company has grown over the past two decades to become one of the largest comics publishers in North America. In addition to publishing work by the Image partners, they give a voice to work by numerous independent creators. Its best known series include The Walking Dead, Chew, Morning Glories, Spawn, Savage Dragon, Witchblade, The Darkness, and Invincible.

The Cartoon Art Museum’s exhibition Image Comics: A 20th Anniversary Celebration features over 40 pieces of original artwork spanning 20 years, including works from all seven Image founders, Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Jim Lee (WildC.A.T.s), Rob Liefeld (Youngblood), Todd McFarlane (Spawn), Whilce Portacio (Wetworks), Marc Silvestri (Cyberforce), and Jim Valentino (Shadowhawk). Works from Image partner Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) will also be included in this historic exhibition.

The opening reception for Image Comics: A 20th Anniversary Celebration will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 7:00-9:00pm. Special guests include: Gabriel Bautista, Jean-Paul Bonjour, Blair Butler, Greg Espinoza, Bryan Glass, Jon Goff, Al Gordon, Sina Grace, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Tyler Jenkins, Joe Keatinge, Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Ryan Ottley, Derek McCulloch, Jimmie Robinson, Eric Shanower, Richard Starkings, Andy Suriano, Jim Valentino, Kurtis Wiebe and Jim Zub!

Admission to this party will be $5-$50, with tickets sold on a sliding scale. This party kicks off the three-day Image Expo which will be held at the Oakland Convention Center from Friday, February 24 through Sunday, February 26. For more information, please visit http://www.imagecomicexpo.com/