EXCLUSIVE: Comic Book creator Rob Liefeld is returning to Youngblood with Image Comics. The plan is to create new Youngblood media and merchandise, kicking off with a brand-new title written and illustrated by Liefeld, set to launch from Image Comics next year.
Liefeld will reteam with Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, who first launched Image Comics in April 1992.
Rosenberg is CEO of Platinum Studios Inc., which manages Youngblood for the property’s owner, Rip Media Inc.
Youngblood followed Liefeld’s break-out success at Marvel, where he created and established Deadpool, Cable, and X-Force as top-selling characters. Youngblood became the first independent non-Marvel, non-DC Comic title to chart at #1 and sell over 1M copies. The original Youngblood miniseries sold over 25M copies worldwide, and its publication history spans over 100 issues with featured contributions throughout its run from comic talents such as Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) Alan Moore (Watchmen, Supreme), and Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, The Kingsmen).
Says Liefeld, “It’s so great that I can run into the comfort of characters that I created, that launched a movement. They carry such history. I love Youngblood so much. These characters are my absolute passion.”
Rosenberg adds, “Rob and I are a fantastic team, and I’m as excited now for Youngblood’s relaunch as I was in 1992 for its initial launch. The team’s awesome characters have not only been in their own Youngblood comics, but also appeared in more than 100 million comic publications worldwide, including crossovers with Marvel and other Image comics. I’m excited to bring them to audiences old and new with their original creator, Rob Liefeld.”
“As our company’s very first comic, Youngblood set the course not just for Image Comics, but for creator-owned comics, so we couldn’t be more thrilled that Rob is returning to his signature creation,” said Image Comics Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Eric Stephenson. “Rob’s vision for these characters and this concept is what originally attracted me to Image Comics way back in the 1990s, so it’s especially exciting that the series that started it all is finally coming home!”
Liefeld and Rosenberg promise more details in the weeks ahead, but initial plans include a Youngblood Vault Edition representing high resolution scans of the original art from the first Youngblood series in a deluxe oversized hardcover, as well as a Facsimile Edition of Youngblood #1 to mark the title’s 33rd anniversary in April 2025, both to be published by Image Comics.
Platinum Studios, Inc. is a comic book-based entertainment company. Productions include the Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig movie Cowboys & Aliens.