I had a chance to read the first issue of Skullkickers (in stores 9/2/10) from Image Comics. Written by Jim Zubkavich and art from the team of Edwin Huang, Chris Stevens and Misty Coats, this book takes no time to get you right into the gory, fantasy action.

First off, be warned that I’m not an avid comics reader. I’ve recently started getting back into the hobby so having the chance to see a book like this from issue #1 is great. I like starting at the beginning so I don’t feel like I’m missing something important. But, oddly, the way this books starts out I felt like the universe was already established and I was coming late to the game anyway. But I didn’t care.

The opening scene tells you the type of world you’re entering, one full of fantasy, violence and humor. An angry dwarf (is there any other kind) is engaged in fisticuffs with a fat werewolf. I was immediately impressed with the cool color palette and art style somewhat reminiscent of Disney cartoons. Of course, by page six you know this definitely isn’t Disney. That’s when the blood starts in earnest. If you don’t like gore in your comics, probably best to give this one a pass. A second main character makes his appearance as well. This guy is a large, muscled human with a big gun. I love the way this intro ends, with a surprise weapon used on the werewolf.

As the next scene opens to a daylight panel for the first time it’s a treat to see the warmer color palette. The gorgeous purples of the introduction are replaced with the warmer, friendlier tones of a tavern. Here the reader finds the dwarf in an argument with the Lieutenant of the local constabulary. This scene has my favorite line of the book: “I’ll prove yur [sic] head is as empty as a pint glass!” The plot begins.

I was skeptical at first, but as the story opens up the comic really started to draw me. Political intrigue, shady characters, suspicious motives and more violence. The cliffhanger ending is a great way to start a new series. I found a few things questionable from a story or character standpoint (such as why the hulking man with a big gun is also the brains of the team, or why his gun is the only one visible in the world) but I find myself anticipating the next issue anyway. The two heroes (and I use the term loosely as are they are actually mercenaries) are deliberately unnamed, reminiscent of spaghetti westerns.

Image has announced that despite significant overprint of Skullkickers #1 it has already sold out at the distribution level. There will be a second printing available in October but I would encourage you to get to your local comic shop and get your hands on this book. I’ll be surprised if Skullkickers doesn’t become another hit like Chew. A free preview of Skullkickers is available in the Image Comics app from comiXology. Issue #2 will be available October 20.