Skybound and Image Comics will release Tales of Wonder, a new limited series from writer/artist Steve Skroce (We Stand on Guard, The Matrix), colorist Ian Herring (Shaolin Cowboy), and letterer Pat Brosseau (G.I. Joe). Inspired by the history of superhero comics, the book follows Stu Reeds and Jake Crumsby, two estranged Golden/Silver Age comic book creators, who must reconcile and help save the world when their characters become real.
The synopsis reads, “Stu and Jake’s friendship was forged in World War II, but the one thing it couldn’t survive was the comic book industry. As their Wonder Comics creations grew from four-color sensations to a global phenomenon, everything changed… Now, these two legendary comic creators have reunited to launch the America’s Freedom Force cinematic universe, only to discover the make-believe superheroes and monsters from their stories are very, very real. Stu and Jake must overcome decades of bad blood and stolen credit if they’re going to help the world’s greatest superheroes save our world!”
Skroce comments, “This is a story I’ve dreamt of telling for years. It’s a tale about the many pitfalls of creative collaboration. When things go south, lifelong friendships can end and the axe grinding can last for decades. Tales of Wonder is about finding your way back from that, it’s about believing in a second chance to get things right, it’s about the value of friendship, and it’s all wrapped up in a full-throttle, action-packed superhero adventure. I hope you dig it.”
While not stated in the press release, Stu and Jake are likely based on Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, whose credits dispute after establishing what became the Marvel Universe has cast a long shadow over superhero comics and media. Both men were World War II veterans, and judging from the main cover, their respectively flamboyant and grizzled public personas also informed Stu and Jake’s character designs. The comic’s title is also presumably a nod to books like Tales to Astonish or Journey into Mystery, which Marvel heroes like Thor headlined before getting their own titles.
Issue #1 will be released September 2 (shortly after Kirby’s birthday on August 28), with several variant covers, including a blank sketch cover G. You can check out the artwork for the variants below, along with a three-page interior preview. The book marks Skroce’s first series since 2023’s Marvel release Clobberin’ Time, and his first at Image since 2021’s Post Americana.
