Scott Dunbier’s Artist Editions Come To Skybound In Multi-Year Deal

Skybound/Image Comics is the new home for  Scott Dunbier’s (Act 4 Publishing) Artist Editions, with the first two releases announced as Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition and Darwyn Cooke’s The Complete Spirit Connoisseur Edition, coming in September and October 2025, respectively. This launches a multi-year, worldwide distribution and publishing deal between the two partners. And two great titles to launch this Fall.

All black-and-white artwork is scanned in colour to better capture each page and cover’s original state. All the different ink gradients, the blue pencil, and all the unique nuances better captured using scans. The only better way to experience these pages is to stand behind an artist’s drawing board as they draw.

As well as the classic Artist Edition hardcover, there is also a new Connoisseur Edition with the addition of a slipcase and premium finishing.

Commenting on this new partnership, Dunbier said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Skybound and to announce my first two books with them. We are going to have some very exciting news in the coming months that I can’t wait to share with you all. Looking forward to a bright future!”

Sean Mackiewicz, SVP, Publisher, Skybound added:

“Scott Dunbier has innovated and redefined the comics industry at every stage of his career, and Skybound is proud to partner with Act 4 to bring his most ambitious endeavor to life. This line of comics and books celebrates visionary creators, impeccable storytelling, and world-class original art, and will deliver them to a bigger audience than ever before.”

Future releases within the publishing partnership include J. Scott Campbell’s Danger Girl Artist Edition, Dave Stevens’ Covers and Stories’ Connoisseur Edition, Jason Pearson’s Body Bags Artist’s Edition, Paul Smith’s Leave It to Chance Artist’s Edition, and EC Comics Artist’s Edition. Publishing details for these books will be announced in the coming months.

Here’s more details on both books announced today:

“Coming September 2025, experience the peak period of Jim Aparo’s artistry from his runs featuring Batman (Brave and the Bold, Detective Comics) and The Spectre (Adventure Comics), with over 175 pages of original art in Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition.This gorgeous hardcover presents classic Aparo art from what is regarded as his peak period and features eight stories, including four complete The Brave and the Bold stories, four complete Adventure Comics issues featuring The Spectre, as well as a selection of classic covers and pages.

Then, in October 2025, leap into the crime-ridden, two-fisted tales of Darwyn Cooke’s The Spirit, featuring Will Eisner’s most famous creation, now collected in its entirety for the first time in this oversized collectible edition, presented within a beautiful slipcase. This edition is designed by Sean Phillips, who also oversaw the Eisner-winning Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition – Last Call, to which this book is a companion in size and scope. J. Bone, Cooke’s long-time collaborator, provides an introduction.”

Also included in Darwyn Cooke’s The Complete Spirit Connoisseur Edition is a gallery featuring all the covers, two variant covers from a Rocketeer/The Spirit crossover, and several never-before-seen drawings. Collects The Spirit #1-6, #8-12, and the Batman/The Spirit one-shot.

Jim Aparo’s DC Classics Artist’s Edition ($150.00) will be available in comic book stores on Wednesday September 17th, 2025 and at booksellers on Tuesday September 30th, 2025.

Darwyn Cooke’s The Complete Spirit Connoisseur Edition (SRP $100.00) will be be available in comic book stores on Wednesday October 8th, 2025, and at booksellers, along with digital platforms on Tuesday October 21st, 2025.