Chicks. With chainsaws. In space. Daniel Warren Johnson is bringing his signature brand of explosive action to Image Comics this November with Chainkata, and comic shops are already showing their enthusiasm in a big way. The publisher has revealed that the upcoming series has inspired a staggering 116 retailer exclusive covers ahead of its debut.
The new series follows Luma, a chainsaw-wielding warrior queen traveling through the vastness of space in search of a mysterious power. Although she longs for peace, her journey seems destined to bring her face-to-face with violence and terror at every turn.
For readers familiar with Johnson’s work, Chainkata promises plenty of the larger-than-life action that made Do A Powerbomb, Murder Falcon, and Extremity fan favorites. The series also draws on the cosmic scope of Beta Ray Bill: Argent Star and Space-Mullet, bringing Johnson back to the kind of science-fiction storytelling that helped establish his career.
The launch arrives following a remarkable stretch for the Eisner Award-winning creator. His work on Skybound’s Transformers helped redefine the franchise for a new generation of readers, while The Moon Is Following Us further demonstrated his ability to pair spectacular visuals with emotionally charged storytelling. His credits also include Wonder Woman: Dead Earth and work on Absolute Batman.
The sheer number of retailer exclusive covers suggests that comic shops are anticipating a major launch. With 116 different exclusives joining the celebration, there’s certainly no shortage of artwork for collectors to hunt down.
AIPT spoke with Johnson about the upcoming series in our September interview, offering readers an early look at his latest creator-owned project.
Chainkata launches this November from Image Comics. Check out the preview and a massive selection of covers below!
Comic shop retailers boasting their very own exclusive Chainkata #1 covers include:
- 4Tress, cover featuring artwork by Kevin Tran
- 616 Comics, covers featuring artwork by Francesco Tomaselli & Jordan Noir
- AC Pop, covers featuring artwork by Federico Mele & Wil Shrike
- Beachside Hobbies, covers featuring artwork by Aaron Bartling, Chuma Hill, Federico Sabbatini, Marcelo Ventura & Chuma Hill
- Beast Coast Comics, covers featuring artwork by Donghee Kim & Jonathan Uribe
- Big Clutch, cover featuring artwork by Joe Benitez
- Bigg Legg, covers featuring artwork by Sean Forney & Sveta Shubina
- Black Saber Comics, covers featuring artwork by Aurelio Mazzara, Garrett Gunn, George Vega & Marco Itri
- Blank Cover Podcast, cover featuring artwork by Kibar
- Bludhaven knight comics, cover featuring artwork by Sukesha Ray
- CBBST, cover featuring artwork by Dale Altmann
- Comic Grail Vault, cover featuring artwork by Elvin Ching
- Comic Inspiration, cover featuring artwork by John Giang
- Comic Kingdom Creative, cover featuring artwork by Dave Wilkins
- Comic Odyssey, cover featuring artwork by JP Cuison
- Comics And Signatures, cover featuring artwork by Ze Carlos
- Comics Toons & Toys, covers featuring artwork by Genki Eguro, K. Okada & Rob Liefeld
- Countdown Comics, covers featuring artwork by Kickstradomis & John Courtemanche
- Davis Rider, cover featuring artwork by Ito
- Dynamic Forces, cover featuring artwork by Suspiria Vilchez
- East Side Comics, cover featuring artwork by Redcode
- ECGCE, cover featuring artwork by Riley Rossmo
- FOC Books, cover featuring artwork by Naomi Griffin
- Found Objects, cover featuring artwork by Nimit Malavia
- Geek Street Productions, cover featuring artwork by Brett Booth
- Geeked Out Comics, cover featuring artwork by Su Jian
- Gotham Central Comics, cover featuring artwork by Ito
- Hachimaull518, cover featuring artwork by Stan Yak
- Hall Of Justice Comics, cover featuring artwork by Adam Gorham
- Heavy Mental, cover featuring artwork by Jonathan Knight
- In This Issue Comics, cover featuring artwork by Tyrell Cannon
- Jolzar Collectibles, cover featuring artwork by Flops!
- KRS Comics, cover featuring artwork by Sunghan Yune
- LeapsLair, cover featuring artwork by Jeff Monk
- Mammoth Comics, cover featuring artwork by Brad Ashworth
- Nefarious Comics, cover featuring artwork by Jeff Monk
- Nerdy Girl Comics, cover featuring artwork by Tony Trophy
- Pop Culture Comics, cover featuring artwork by Santa Fung & Todd Beats
- Pressable Defects Comics, cover featuring artwork by Ken Lashley & Puppeteer Lee
- Prestos Comics, cover featuring artwork by Troy Little
- Pulp Fiction Long Beach, cover featuring artwork by Erwin Papa
- Rose City Comics, cover featuring artwork by Farel Dalrymple
- Sanctum Tattoos And Comics, cover featuring artwork by Matthew Allison
- Scottydew Comics, cover featuring artwork by Chad Hardin
- Sequential Art Comics, cover featuring artwork by Godtail
- Stupid Fresh Mess, LLC, cover featuring artwork by Skottie Young
- Slabulous, covers featuring artwork by Joel Herrera, Ryan G Browne & Maria Wolf
- Sophie’s Timeless Treasures, cover featuring artwork by Marat Mychaels
- StaySweet Comics Corp, covers featuring artwork by Martin Zavala, Takumi, Tyler Kirkham & Martin Zavala
- Strange Tales To Sell LLC, covers featuring art by Rudy Ao, Ryan Kincaid & Vzewl
- TenFwd Comics, covers featuring art by Dominic Glover
- Thatboychrisp Comics, covers featuring art by Julian Shaw & Steven Defendini
- That Guy Will, covers featuring art by Vincenzo Riccardi
- The Comic Mint, covers featuring art by Alan Quah
- The Comics Den, covers featuring art by Von Randal
- Third Eye Comics, covers featuring art by Scie Tronc, Wayshak, Jim Rugg, Clay Mann, Nick Dragotta & Daniel Warren Johnson
- TN Comic Collector, cover featuring art by Buzz
- Top Shelf, covers featuring art by Caleb Ady, Lucas Lee Garza & Jefter
- Trinity Comics, cover featuring art by Laura Rubin
- Warrior’s Comics & Collectibles, cover featuring art by Adriana Melo
- Webster’s Vault, cover featuring art by Creees Lee & Todd Beats
- White Dog Comics, cover featuring art by Alain Nip & Fadime Yildirim
- Wittsknot Comics, cover featuring art by Victor Irizarry & colors by Daniel “PeZ!” Lopez
Chainkata #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, November 18:
- Cover A by Johnson – UPC: 70985304932600111
- Cover B B&W by Johnson – UPC: 70985304932600121
- Cover C Sword & Sorcery by Johnson – UPC: 70985304932600131
- Cover D by Riley Rossmo – UPC: 70985304932600141
- Cover E by Rob Liefeld – UPC: 70985304932600151
- Cover F Blank Sketch – UPC: 70985304932600161
- Cover G Sword & Sorcery Foil 1:100 copy incentive by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer – UPC: 70985304932600171
- Cover H Raw Art 1:100 copy incentive by Johnson – UPC: 70985304932600181
- Cover I Original Head Sketch 1:1000 by Johnson – UPC: 70985304932600191
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