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Comic books fans have been putting the internet clues together for the last few days and Wednesday evening it has been made official – Image Comics and founder/former partner Rob Liefeld have confirmed for Newsarama they will be reuniting for the first time in over a decade for the release of a hardcover collection of a “re-mastered, re-scripted, and re-imagined” version the original Image launch title Youngblood.
Described as the “definitive version” of Liefeld’s original story arc, the volume - a newly expanded version of the 2005 Maximum Youngblood collection – is set for release under the Image “i” later this year and will also feature a brand-new Joe Casey-written, Liefeld-drawn ending. Following that in January 2008 will be a brand new Image Comics monthly ongoing Youngblood series by Casey, artist Derec Donovan, and colorist Val Staples, with Liefeld providing covers.
According to Image, the new series features, “a new cast of familiar faces”, including Shaft, Badrock, DieHard, Cougar, Johnny Panic, Doc Rocket, plus an all-new character.
“No previous knowledge of past Youngblood comics is required”, reports Image of the new series. “This is an all-new story that picks up now and doesn't look back. If you're familiar with the past books - all the better – but you're not going to need much more than a working knowledge of the original concept to enjoy the hell out of this.”
Of course even Image Comics acknowledges Liefeld’s return to the company for these projects is somewhat unexpected. Largely credited as one of the key driving forces behind the formation of the company in 1992, Liefeld and Image parted ways in 1997 in controversial and in less-than-amicable fashion, and words and varying versions of events have been traded between Liefeld and some of his former founding partners in the years that followed…
“It's good to have Rob and his characters under the Image banner again,” said Image Executive Director Eric Stephenson. “Obviously, a lot of time has passed, but at the end of the day, the most important consideration in all of this is whether it's good for Image - and from Rob's perspective, whether it's good for him. We seem to be in agreement that this is a good thing for all involved."
Added founding member and current Image partner and Publisher Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), “Youngblood started at Image and kicked off the company in high gear. I really wouldn't want to see it continue anywhere else, and I'm sure fans will join me in enthusiastically welcoming Rob Liefeld and Youngblood back to the fold. 'Nuff said.”
As to the projects that will be released under this new accord…
“I've always felt Youngblood was a genuinely cool idea. In many ways, it's a precursor to series like he Authority and The Ultimates, and I think Joe Casey's the ideal custodian for these characters,” said Stephenson of the new series. “He has true enthusiasm for the concept and a clear vision of how to move it forward. And from what I've seen so far, Derec's the perfect choice to bring that vision to the page.”
“I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am that Youngblood is back home where it all started,” said Liefeld. “This is all extremely exciting working with Eric, Erik, Joe, and the gang at Image Comics. It was a long and winding road getting back here but there is no place that me and these characters would rather be!"
"What the fucking fuck fuck?" was all that Todd McFarlane could say when presented with this news, before spilling coffee on Mark McGwire's balls. "Get me Erik on the line NOW! That son of a bitch is fired! Fucking Savage Dragon will never be seen again, goddammit! Fucking bringing back Shitdick Rob? What the fuck is he thinking? Fuck! Image is totally fucked now!"
