For the last few years, Dynamite Entertainment has had tremendous success with its various Disney licensed titles. Today the publisher announced details for an Aladdin ongoing series and a Lilo and Sitch OGN for young readers.
First up, is the return to Agrabah in the new Aladdin comic series this May from the creative team of James III and artist Agnese Eterno. Much like the ’90s animated series, this comic series will chronicle the adventures of Aladdin and his friends after the first film. It doesn’t look like Iago will be be of the supporting cast. As fans know, Iago became one of the good guys in Return of Jafar.
Full details below:
Everyone’s favorite diamond in the rough, Aladdin, is on top of the world as this new comic series starts. The former street rat is united with his love, Princess Jasmine. He’s got his trusty buddies Abu and the magical carpet. While Genie is free of his lamp and able to do as he wishes. But trouble always seems to haunt Al, and he’ll need the help of everyone he loves to save himself and the entire city of Agrabah!
Acclaimed writer, comedian, podcaster, and all-around powerhouse James III (Good Burger 2, Fairy OddParents: A New Wish, All That) channels his timeless, all-ages expertise that fans got to know in the latest Stitch series into another childhood favorite of his, now an adult favorite and unparalleled responsibility for generations new and old.
The illustrious Italian artist Agnese Eterno joins him for this latest adventure into Agrabah, a rising star trained and affiliated with the legendary Arancia Studio of superstar Mirka Andolfo.
“Writing Aladdin is an opportunity I don’t take lightly,” said writer James III. “Not to be old, but the Aladdin VHS was one of the few tapes we owned growing up and we wore it out! I’d run around the house imitating Genie and Iago (for which I later won the 3rd grade talent show, thank you very much!) And my light-up Jafar staff was a prized possession. We’re doing our best to capture the flare of the original while telling new stories for today’s audience.”
Joining James and Agnese is a crop of charts-topping cover artists. J. Scott Campbell showcases the haunting elegance of Aladdin’s resident dastardly Disney Villain — Jafar. Artists Nicoletta Baldari and Natacha Bustos bring their beloved talents to the table. Last but certainly not least, Eterno herself chips in a fun cartoon head variant.
In addition to these core covers, aspiring artists and collectors can opt for a Blank Authentix to make their own Aladdin cover or have one sketched by a favorite creator at conventions. The debut issue will also be offered as a premium mystery blind bag. This unique release features a slick design of the Genie’s lamp, and contains three limited editions of the issue selected randomly from a range of covers exclusive to this offering.
Aladdin hit theaters worldwide in 1992, bringing the Disney magic to a standout tale from One Thousand and One Nights. The titular Arabian street urchin, his spirited paramour Princess Jasmine, the conniving Jafar, wise-cracking Genie, adorable monkey Abu, and its gorgeous desert and city landscapes wowed fans of all ages. The highest-grossing animated film of all time at the time of its release, the world of Aladdin now returns to comics for a new batch of four-color fables.
Also arriving in May is the The Stitch Book: Top Secret Adventures, the first in a series of exceedingly silly original graphic novels. According to the press release, “Top Secret Adventures is told through the perspective of the characters from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. Lilo dictates the story and her blue-furred friend Stitch handles the illustration duties. Behind the scenes, critically acclaimed and fan-favorite writer and artist Jeff Parker pulls double duty, imitating this adorable style that will connect with kids.”
Details below:
Agent Cobra Bubbles has a mission, he’d like to build a series of journals that chronicle the life and times of the controversial Experiment 626, a.k.a. Stitch. For strictly academic and procedural reasons! He needs to keep up with the duo while he returns to the world of secret agent-ing. And he wants Lilo and Stitch themselves on the case!
Readers will find the day to day chaos left in the wake of the little force of nature, as he further gets adjusted to the idyllic island life of Hawaii, and learns the meaning of ‘ohana becoming closer with his found family. Pages feature quick profiles on cherished characters including Nani, Cobra Bubbles, Dr. Jumba Jookiba, Mr. Pleakley, and Stitch. Early in the story, bookworms will love Stitch’s stylized depictions of surfing the Pacific waves, and it only gets more fun from there!
“As a big Chris Sanders admirer and superfan of the movie, I’ve long wished I could have worked on the original Disney’s Lilo & Stitch,” said writer and artist Jeff Parker.” The animation studio really knocked it out of the galaxy, and I think readers will enjoy us keeping the spirit of that alive. Lilo and Stitch may now have a very stable found family, but they’re still little chaos agents that upend life everywhere they go, and they go a lot of places in The Stitch Book.”
The Stitch Book: Top Secret Adventures is 208 pages, and produced at 5.5 by 8.25 inches, perfect for younger readers and parents to take everywhere they go. The first batch of journal entries are unveiled to the public this coming May 6, with more planned to come!
