Blowing one's own head off is bound to change a man, but who knew that it could also readjust one's moral alignment?

That's the question at the very heart of "Image United," the upcoming six-issue crossover series written by Robert Kirkman and illustrated by Image Comics founders Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. At the recent Diamond Retailer Summit in Baltimore, Kirkman made the shocking announcement that the recently deceased "Spawn" protagonist, Al Simmons, is the villain of "Image United," delivering an emotional sucker punch not only to the characters of the Image Universe, but to longtime readers as well.

Kirkman spoke exclusively with CBR News about Al Simmons' role in "Image United," what it means for the book's characters and how his shocking return will effect the Image Universe in the months to come.

Read more here.