Dark Horse Comics and Netflix have entered into a multi-year licensing agreement, the publisher announced today. The first Netflix property to cross over to graphic media will be the hit sci-fi series Stranger Things, which will be featured in both comics and original graphic novels.
The four-issue Stranger Things miniseries will be written by Jody Houser, art by Stefano Martino, Keith Champagne, and Lauren Affe, and lettering by Nate Piekos. The series will present Will Byers’s perspective on the events of the first season of the TV series, following him as he tries to survive alone in the Upside-Down.
The partnership is a big move for Dark Horse, given their relatively recent loss of a few major licenses (namely Star Wars and Conan), and the winding-down of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series. With extensive detail on the licensing agreement coming in the future, it’s unclear at this point what other Netflix properties will be making the jump aside from Stranger Things, which is arguably the most natural fit for comics. There’s certainly no shortage of IP to choose from with Netflix, though.
Check out the plethora of covers to Stranger Things #1 (of 4), as well as a few interior preview pages, below, plus the full press release on the licensing deal. The first issue of the series goes on sale in September.
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MILWAUKIE, Ore., (June 18, 2018)—Dark Horse and Netflix are excited to announce a strange, new partnership of a multi-year publishing line based on the hit Netflix Original series, Stranger Things! Set to debut in September 2018, the officially licensed publishing program will give fans of the beloved show an opportunity to explore the mysterious world of Hawkins, Indiana. Dark Horse will publish a line of comics and young adult graphic novels expanding the world of Hawkins and its many inhabitants.
“Dark Horse is known for championing stories and storytellers,” explained Dark Horse President and Founder Mike Richardson. “We are so excited to work with Netflix to bring the world of Stranger Things to comics.”
Award-winning writer Jody Houser (Faith, Orphan Black, Mother Panic), penciller Stefano Martino (Legs Weaver, Nathan Never), inker Keith Champagne (JSA, Superboy), colorist Lauren Affe (Rebels, Five Ghosts), and letterer Nate Piekos (Briggs Land, Green Arrow) unite to bring the nostalgia igniting of the Netflix original series to comic shelves in the first installment of Dark Horse’s publishing program.
Stranger Things #1 (of 4-issues) follows Will Byers as he enters a dimension of decay and destruction where he must use his wits and resolve to dodge the pursuit of the Demogorgon and escape the Upside Down. Stranger Things #1 features a cover by artist Aleksi Briclot (New Avengers, Maskemane) with three variant covers from Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire, Blue Beetle), visual artist Kyle Lambert, and a photo-variant cover designed by Patrick Satterfield and Netflix.
Stranger Things #1 goes on sale September 26, 2018, and is available for preorder at your local comic shop. Dark Horse will release more information about the publishing program in the coming months.
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