Fatale #1 an Immediate Sell Out and a USA Today Feature.

Image Comics announced today that Fatale #1 has already sold out.

This much-anticipated new series has already sold out at distribution level, despite a generous overprinting. A second printing is now underway and will arrive back on shelves next month, appearing alongside the second issue.

"The overwhelming positive response to FATALE from retailers and fans has been a bit shocking, but a great way to start the new year," said Brubaker. "Keep it up, and we'll keep putting out the best book we can."

Readers should note that the press release is only about the distribution level. Well-stocked retailers may yet have copies available for a little while longer.

The second printing of issue #1 will be out on February 1st, along with the second issue. This is the first time a Brubaker/Phillips collaboration has required a second printing since Incognito #1, first published three years ago this month.

At Bleeding Cool, Rich Johnston reports that the "Beast" variant cover (Cover B) is about half as common as the "Beauty" cover, for those interested in rarity.

On Twitter, Brubaker writes, "If you're already planning to get Fatale, please don't read the reviews or interviews. It's best if you encounter it blind."

But there is a new interview worth reading, a quick profile of Fatale at USA Today, with a few words from Brubaker and Phillips -- and a link to a short preview that includes the cover art to issue #3, from sketches to pencils to the final artwork.

Edited January 6, to include Incognito reference and a reminder that Fatale #1 may still be in retailers.

Fatale #1: In Stores Tomorrow, Seven-Page Preview Available Now.

The gripping debut of Brubaker and Phillips' Fatale is out tomorrow, and yesterday Comic Book Resources released an exclusive seven-page preview of the eerie first issue.

On Twitter, Brubaker teases, "they don't even get to the good parts of the issue. We saved it for you."

Indeed they have. While retaining the classic tropes like the reckless reporter and the crooked cop, the issue plunges ever deeper into a sinister world that we've only begun to glimpse.



Apart from the Image Comics logo, the book is consistent with the Icon works of Criminal and Incognito: no apparent outside editorial influence with credits just for three people -- Dave Stewart providing colors, as he did halfway into "Last of the Innocent" -- an extra-long story uninterrupted by ads, Brubaker's personal communication to the readers, and another guest essay.

(There's also a great ad pulling together the collections of Brubaker and Phillips' collaborative work, which we'll reprint later.)

In the issue, Brubaker reveals these essays "aren't reprinted in our trades or in the digital versions of the comics, they're a bonus for you, the people who make our books possible by supporting the single issues as they come out. A thanks for not waiting on the trade."

As with Incognito, Jess Nevins provides the essay, this time looking at (as Brubaker put it) "the dark dark world of H.P. Lovecraft, godfather of pretty much all modern horror in one way or another."

Lovecraft's influence is all over this first issue, and accompanying the essay is a suitably creepy piece of art that Sean Phillips featured at his blog and which we reprint above.

In late November, Phillips responded to popular demand and began offering poster reproductions of the work at his Cafe Press store.

(Direct link here as the website's been flaky.)

Best as I can tell, it's the first poster of any of his "essay art," and it's the first poster reproduction since the cover art for Criminal: The Sinners.

All around, if the first issue is any indication, we're in for a dark ride.