During today’s Skybound Comics: Vision for the Future panel at New York Comic Con, Skybound and Image Comics announced a new line of standalone, continuity-free miniseries intended to appeal to new readers. The line, called Skybound Visions, will launch in January with a trio of series based on licensed characters from properties like G.I. Joe, Transformers, and Turok.
As Skybound describes the line in a statement:
Bringing together the biggest comic characters and the biggest creators, Skybound Visions issues will tell complete, evergreen stories showcasing new sides of these beloved icons. Their stories serve as perfect jumping-on points for new readers, while also rewarding lifelong fans.
Here’s info on the three newly-announced Skybound Visions series:
Transformers: Bumblebee – Lost Planet by writer Tate Brombal (Batgirl, Everything Dead & Dying) and Matt Emmons (The Council of Frogs), colorist Giovanna Niro (Absolute Catwoman), and letterer Becca Carey (Radiant Black) arrives in comic shops on January 27, 2027.
After a devastating Decepticon attack, Bumblebee is stranded on an uncharted planet. Lost in the galaxy, with no way to call for help, the so-called “weakest of all the Autobots” must tackle the biggest mission of his young life. But beneath its surface, this strange planet holds a secret that’s already begun to corrupt and change its indigenous life. Now, the Autobots’ greatest hope must come from the evolution of its most unexpected warrior… if Bee can survive being hunted by the deadliest Decepticon of all!
Then, just one new comic book day after Transformers: Bumblebee – Lost Planet#1 debuts, G.I. Joe: The Island of Dr. Mindbender by writer Karl Kerschl (Gotham Academy) and Doug Mahnke (Batman: The Man Who Laughs), inker Jaime Mendoza (Superman), colorist David Baron (JLA), and letterer Tom Napolitano (Kaya) lands in stores on February 2, 2027.
The last team of Joes sent to the Island of Dr. Mindbender never came back… Now, Codename: Flint must return to active duty to lead a fresh batch of recruits to the isolated compound of a madman. A mad scientist who’s grown madder every year–and his creations more monstrous. In the deadliest mission of his career, Flint just wants to rescue his old friends and get back to his family. But on this island, survival isn’t just half the battle–it’s the whole damn war!
The first Gold Key character in Skybound Visions,Turok: Son of Stone by writer Stephen Graham Jones (The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, Earthdivers) and Leandro Fernández (The Old Guard), and colorist Lee Loughridge (G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero)with letterer Tom Napolitano (Kaya) hits comic shops on March 10, 2027.
Turok wanted to dig up the past. Now, he must survive it. Turok dreamed that his dig in New Mexico would make his name legendary. But when the ground gave way, he fell through history and landed in a valley that shouldn’t exist. Where the Ice Age sits on top of the time of dinosaurs, and at every turn he discovers an era older and hungrier than the last. In a relentless quest to return to his son, Turok must unearth the truth about this hidden world and not lose his grip on a shifting reality that threatens to consume him. Sometimes a dream coming true is a nightmare beyond imagination…
In the announcement for Skybound Visions, Skybound Senior Vice President Sean Mackiewicz described the methodology behind the line:
“Skybound Visions pairs beloved comic book characters with the most interesting comic book creators working today, to present their personal takes on these fan-favorites” said Sean Mackiewicz, SVP, Skybound. “Visions is all about surprising creators, surprising characters, and surprising storytelling, and we have plenty more in store for 2027 and beyond.”
I think a Turok series being among the initial offerings for this line certainly fits the ‘surprising’ criteria. It’s been nearly ten years since the character appeared in comics, having most recently been
Look for a Skybound Visions ashcan to be available in comic shops on November 11th. The line official kicks off in January 2027.
