At San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Mad Cave Studios and King Features revealed Rip Kirby, a new series starring Alex Raymond and Ward Greene‘s private investigator of the same name.
Debuting this November, the comic is being crafted by writer Christopher Sebela (Crowded), artist Tango (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), colorist KJ Diaz, and letterer Jeff Eckleberry, and will follow the sophisticated, scientifically-inclined detective on a new adventure in post-war New York.
The full synopsis reads, “War hero. Star athlete. Brilliant scientist. Savvy private investigator. Rip Kirby’s reputation is long secured, and these days he’s enjoying the post-war boom of New York City. With gorgeous and quick-witted Honey Dorian at his side and reformed criminal valet Desmond running the show, it’s a perfect life and perfectly balanced. It’s been perfect for what seems like forever… But Rip’s world is about to get complicated, and his unflappably decent ways are newly tested. Up against a world that seems to be growing too fast, can an upstanding man of morals and fair play like Rip remain himself, or will he be swallowed up by the ugliness?”
The original Rip Kirby comic strip was created by Alex Raymond (the creator of Flash Gordon) and editor/writer Ward Greene in 1946, and ran until 1999. The comics have been reprinted by various publishers over the years, including IDW, but this will mark the first new one for the character since the original ended.
King Features has previously licensed Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Defenders of the Earth to Mad Cave. The press release emphasizes why Kirby is a worth addition to their stable, describing the lead as “a detective who stood apart from the hard-boiled heroes of the era. Solving cases through intelligence, scientific reasoning, and careful observation rather than brute force, Kirby helped redefine crime fiction, and left an enduring mark on newspaper strips for generations to come.”
The book marks Sebela’s first for Mad Cave since 2022’s Grimm Tales from the Cave (2022), and his third overall, with his first being 2021’s Pantomime. Tango previously contributed to this year’s Flash Gordon Quarterly #6.
Issue #1 will be released on November 4. Cover A will be provided by Annie Wu, and Covers B-D will also be available with a foil edition and a blank sketch cover variant.
Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from SDCC ’26.
