NPR Books has a nice overview of WAYWARD on their front page. Click through to read about what they thought of our supernatural spectacle.

“[Wayward’s] emphasis on epically battling the Big Bad is coupled with a determination to get its monsters right.”

Today’s the day! Wayward Vol. 2: Ties That Bind arrives today at your favorite local comic shop and will be available from Amazon and other bookstores in about a week. If you’ve been “waiting on the trade” to see what happens next to our supernatural-powered teens, today’s the day you get your fix.

It’s hard to believe that a year ago we launched the first issue of Wayward and here we are 12 months later releasing our second trade just like clockwork. It’s been a wild and wonderful ride so far and I hope a year from now it’s still going strong.

Deep thanks to Steve Cummings, my incredibly skilled co-creator. It’s a thrill building this story with you.
Tamra Bonvillain, your colors make every page explode with action and drama.
Marshall Dillon, your lettering and rapid fire revisions have saved us more times than I can count.
Zack Davisson, your fantastic back matter material deepens the story and helps us stand out in a crowded comic market.

And, of course, the entire crew at Image Comics. Thank you for giving us this platform to tell our story without limits. We couldn’t do it without you.

Wayward Vol. 2 Ties That Bind (issues #6-10) After the traumatizing finale of volume one, everything has changed for our supernatural teens. Who is Ohara and how does she fit into the great pattern of destiny and power that will change Japan forever? Jim Zub and Steve Cummings continue their supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of shows like Buffy with Japan’s engaging culture and mythic monsters.

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WAYWARD #10, the big finish to our second story arc, arrived in stores last Wednesday. Let’s see what critics thought of this explosive issue (SPOILERS in many of the reviews!):

• The AV Club: “Zub and Cummings aren’t Japanese, but they have a deep respect for the country that shines through in their work.”

• Big Glasgow: 5/5 “This issue concludes the second story arc in this amazing series – and trust me, you won’t believe what you’ll read at the end of this book.”

• Comic Attack: 4/5 “Wayward is a fantastic title that is rich in Japanese mythology and a great entry point for those that aren’t ready to dive head first into manga territory.”

• Comic Book Bin: 10/10 “Zub’s script does not disappoint, and co-creator Steve Cummings brings the script to life as magical graphical storytelling that remains grounded at the same time it brings the supernatural to life with imagination and inventiveness.”

• Comic Crusaders: 4.25/5 “Jim Zub keeps the plot tight and shapes the story to inform the action.”

• Comic Week: “Overall ‘Ties that Bind’ manages serialized storytelling in the episodic better than most, with a great mixture of humor and action.”

• Comics the Gathering: “Wayward ends its second arc on a strong note.”

• Fandom Post: “Wayward finishes out the second arc on a hell of a cliffhanger”

• Geeked Out Nation: 9.4/10 “Wayward #10 is the one we have been waiting for and for good reason when you get to the end to see the big picture unfold.”

• Horror Talk: 4.5/5 “This issue ends with a rather awesome shot that fills you with anticipation of what’s to come.”

• Living Myth Magazine: “Is there a finer primer on Japanese mythology, both old and new, than this? I would say no.”

• Omni Jer Bear: “This is the story of a generation.”

• Panels: “The essays on Japanese mythology at the end of each issue continue to be great, and the world just keeps getting more and more interesting.”

• Paradox Comics Group: 8/10 “Zub and the team wrap things up in grand, explosive fashion, much like the first arc”

• Reading With a Flight Ring: “This really is a mind blowing series full of awe, wonder and the legends of old.”

• Snap Pow: 9/10 ” I can gleefully say that this entry earns the right to have a spot in your buy pile”

• TM Stash: 9/10 “The outstanding, exceptionally well-written and beautifully illustrated series hits yet another high point with issue #10. No spoilers…but you WILL find out just what the title of this series means.”

• Under the Comic Covers: “I loved it. It’s stupendous. Zub really knows how to close out an arc.”

• We The Nerdy: 9/10 “The speech Rori gives is perfect in both how it ends the arc and how it encapsulates Wayward as a whole.”

The Geeksverse has a great review of Wayward Vol. 1, including a solid run down of some touchy subject matter we deal with in the series.

“I do feel confident in writing that Zubkavich and Cummings have been as “meticulous in [their] cultural research” as they can be, and that they have both the professional and personal background to mitigate, if not avoid altogether, the orientalism that occasionally plagues Western works of popular entertainment that spotlight Asian cultures.”

Arriving in October, pre-order now!

WAYWARD, BOOK 1: DELUXE HC
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART: STEVE CUMMINGS, TAMRA BONVILLAIN, & JOHN RAUCH
COVER: STEVE CUMMINGS & TAMRA BONVILLAIN
OCTOBER 14 / 320 PAGES / FC / M/ $39.99

DIAMOND ORDER CODE: AUG15 0520

“If Wayward isn’t the next Saga, it will be a damn criminal shame.” —Bleeding Cool

Includes a special poster of the 5-part WAYWARD connected cover illustration from issues #6-10!

Rori Lane is trying to start a new life in Japan, but ancient creatures lurking in the shadows of Tokyo sense something hidden deep within her, threatening everything she holds dear. Can she unlock the secrets of her power before it’s too late?

Image Comics’s new supernatural sensation gets the deluxe treatment in this oversized hardcover collection that includes every stunning cover illustration, design sketches, and extensive essay material on Japanese culture and mythology by noted monster scholar ZACK DAVISSON.

Collects WAYWARD #1-10

Wayward Deluxe Book 1 (issues #1-10 plus extras) Image Comics’s new supernatural sensation gets the deluxe treatment in this oversized hardcover collection that includes every stunning cover illustration, design sketches, and extensive essay material on Japanese culture and mythology by noted monster scholar Zack Davisson. Includes a special fold-out poster of the 5-part Wayward connected cover illustration from issues #6-10!

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Wayward #9 arrived this week and momentum is building for the big finish to our second story arc. Let’s see what reviewers thought of it.

• All-Comic: 8/10 “This comic continues to be a breath of fresh air in Image’s line-up. It can honestly be said that there isn’t an American comic like it. It’s educational, entertaining, emotional and gorgeous.”

• Big Glasgow Comic Page: 5/5 “Once again, Wayward managed to go past my expectations – which are pretty high with this series.”

• Comic Attack: 8/10 “Wayward is the series you should be reading for that supernatural, fantasy escape with panel after panel of great artwork.”

• Comic Book Bin: 10/10 “What more can I say about the comic book that should have received a ‘Best New Series’ Eisner nomination?”

• Comics the Gathering: 9/10 “Zub, Cummings, Bonvillain, Dillon are producing top of the line work and Zack Davisson’s excellent essays continue to provide education and interesting topics related to the comic.”

• Fandom Post: B+ “Wayward’s moving in some interesting directions here and we’re seeing the cast take shape in new ways due to all the pressures being applied to them.”

• Geeked Out Nation: 8.3/10 “Solid issue showing us what happens when youth, disaster, power, and responsibility create a dangerous combo.”

• Omnijerbear: “It’s really fantastic. Each issue blows me away.”

• Paradox Comics Group: 8/10 “Wayward continues to impress and should be on your radars by now.”

• Reading With a Flight Ring: “It’s no wonder that for me this is a top tier book that’s been in my top ten list every month it’s been out. This is an amazingly special book that wraps you into a world you dare to only dream exists.”

• Snap Pow: 9/10 “there’s no room for doubt because month in and month out Image Comics continues to have a winner on their plate.”

• Telltale Mind: 8/10 “Great story and fantastic artwork equals another win for Zub and company.”

• TM Stash: 10/10 “Zub’s scripts continue to be outstanding, mixed with the beautiful illustrations of Steve Cummings and colors of Tamra Bonvillain.”

• Under the Comic Covers: “I can never say enough about Steve Cummings’ artwork. Just so damn stunning.”

• We the Nerdy: 9/10 “This is how you do a build-up comic. You make me love the characters more, and then you make me worried that they’re all walking into danger.”

Women Write About Comics has posted up a fantastic article analysing WAYWARD Vol. 1: String Theory and the transitional nature of Rori Lane, our half-Japanese main character. Read away.

Wayward #8 arrived in comic shops this week and it comes with unexpected revelations. Here’s what reviewers thought of it…

• Big Glasgow: 9.5/10 “Wayward remains a beautiful series, amazing in its art and equally awesome in the stories, and this eighth issue doesn’t disappoint.”

• Black Ship Books: “Zub and Cummings hit their stride early in the series and have only improved since. Wayward is absolutely a book that belongs on everybody’s pull list.”

• Brittle Jules: “it’s too early to say anything for sure; all I know is I’m ready for whatever ride Wayward wants to take me on.”

• Comic the Gathering: 8/10 “The line work and attention to detail is insane. The colors pop with an intense vibrancy. The whole thing is an overwhelming sensation for your eyes.”

• Fandom Post: B+ “It’s a solid issue all around that expands on things, hints at the future, and brings back the characters I wanted to get some answers about.”

• Geeked Out Nation: 8.6/10 “Be it story, character, world, or art, Wayward is a full package to grab your attention.”

• Moar Powah: 8/10 “Wayward #8 does a lot more of what it does best: getting you attached to each character.”

• Multiversity: 8.3/10 “At only eight issues, Wayward has proven itself to be one of the most unique stories in comics today. From the setting to the art, this is a fresh young adult story with a wide appeal.”

• Reading With a Flight Ring: “Each issue ends leaving the reader wanting more so that a month between issues seems like almost too long a wait. This book is proof positive that Image really is the home for cutting edge storytelling.”

• Snap Pow: 8.5/10 “A solid continuation with narrative nuggets that make it more than what it could have been, sets the case for this to be a recommended addition in any collection.”

• The Telltale Mind: 4/5 “If you have not picked up Wayward yet, then you are missing out on one of the best books that Image produces.”

• TM Stash: 9/10 “This is a wonderfully written story by Jim Zub, a tale that immerses you in everything about Japan through the eyes of Rori and her friends.”

• Under the Comic Covers: “The art in this book has always been spectacular but this one in particular…it was a visual feast. Gorgeous.”

• We The Nerdy: 8.7/10 “Issue 8 of Wayward is a pure character piece, with no violent action to speak of. But as I’ve said from issue 1, this is a comic of characters, so letting them breathe, interact, and be vulnerable is wonderful all on its own.”

• Weekly Comic Haul: “Still a fantastic series…It’s awesome.”