SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER Coming In June

Press Release

SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER PACKS A PUNCH
New miniseries a knock-out read
“It’s perfect and I love it. We need more books like this out there.” —Skottie Young

PORTLAND, OR, 05/19/2017 — From writers Jody LeHeup (former editor of Uncanny X-Force, Deadpool, Quantum and Woody) and Sebastian Girner (editor of SOUTHERN BASTARDS, DEADLY CLASS, BLACK SCIENCE), newcomer artist Nil Vendrell, colorist Mike Spicer (HEAD LOPPER, MYTHIC), and letterer Dave Lanphear comes a modern tall tale for the ages.

After being betrayed by the bears that raised him, the legendary SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER wanders the forest he’s sworn to protect, fist-fighting bears, eating flapjacks, and being the angriest man the world has ever known! When wild-eyed, super-strong bears attack the citizens of Major City, Shirtless ventures into the human world to do what he does best...PUNCH THOSE BEARS IN THE FACE! But all is not as it seems. Someone is manipulating Shirtless...and only by confronting the demons of his past can Shirtless hope to save his future!

IGN calls the series, “As wonderfully wild as it is completely literal,” while Pixelated Geek describes it as “over-the-top, intentionally offensive, raunchy, cheesy, campy, and totally ridiculous. It’s also, not surprisingly, really fun.” Monkeys Fighting Robots declares, “This is one of the funniest comics I have read in a long time.”

SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER is a an over-the-top action/comedy chock full of humor, colorful characters, larger-than-life battles, and high adventure. It's the story of a wrathful man at war with himself, what happens when we allow anger to rule our lives, and what we can do to set things right.

The #WarOnBearror begins with SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER #1 (Diamond Code APR170718) on Wednesday, June 21st. The final order cutoff deadline for retailers is Monday, May 29th.

Select praise for SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER:

“I am pro all Bear vs. Man action and very excited.” —Kieron Gillen

“Shirtless Bear Fighter is the sort of uninhibited fun we desperately need in comics and you will love it.” —Rick Remender

“Listen up people! You HAVE to order this comic NOW. It has everything you can ask for. BEARS! FIGHTING! SHIRTLESSNESS! Did I mention BEARS?” —Declan Shalvey

“Shirtless Bear-Fighter is the most delightfully insane comic book I’ve ever read. If it clears customs from the Canadian printer—you must own it!” —Gerry Duggan 

“100% no bullshit. Shirtless Bear Fighter is one of the most insane and brilliantly engaging comics I've maybe ever read in my life. GOD DAMN this book is why comics exist. ORDER UP!” —Donny Cates

“This is one of the greatest Bear-Brawl'n, Wrestling, Maple Syrup, Bacon Love'n, Epic-stories never told...TOLD! Don't miss this!!!” —Nathan Fox

“There is no greater feeling than crushing friends’ spirits with honesty when I ask for my opinion of their work. Shirtless Bear-Fighter denies me that joy because it’s genuinely awesome.” —Jhonen Vasquez 

“This book is MARVELOUS.” —James Asmus

“These dudes are insane. I mean that as a compliment. Give their book a look.” —Jason Latour

“Spend all your fish-money to get Shirtless Bear-Fighter… Hilarious animal abuse at its finest!” —Fred Van Lente

“I loved this book. Its only flaw is we never actually get to see Shirtless Bear Fighter's flap jack. Don't let bears wipe their ass on America, support Shirtless Bear-Fighter!” —Joshua Dysart 

“This is awesome in the crazy bananas way comics should be. You can feel Jody LeHeup & Sebastian Girner having a blast on every page. Pre-order.” —Paul Azaceta

“This is gonna be killer! Order today!” —Cliff Chiang

“Look, if even the NAME ‘ShirtlessBearFighter’ doesn't get your interest, I don't know what even...! Pre-order this thang! —Cully Hamner

“If you care about anything great in the universe, you'd be reading Shirtless Bear Fighter... Amazing!” —Jerome Opeña‏

“You really need this book in your life.” —Tom Muller

“Shirtless Bear-Fighter is a fun insane ride worth your attention. You won't have this much fun reading a comic! Get it!” —Mike Benson

“Some real depth behind the fun concept and humor.” —Paul Tobin

“Do you like crazy shit? Try this.” —David Lopez

“Shirtless Bear-Fighter is the only comic that will save you in the event of a global apocalypse! Hysterical work by Jody LeHeup, Sebastian Girner, etc.” —David Gallaher

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of bestselling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline Comics, Skybound Entertainment, and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.